The Fall of the North Planning/Discussion Thread

[Saurreg]

That's it Arry? It was nice RPing with you.

From one Star trek fan to another, a Klingon saying;

"Today we conquer! Tomorrow... Well, war has its fortunes! Kah paq!"

[Garen LiLorian]

Wow. Sorry to see you go, Arry! It's been fun RPing with you, and hopefully we can do it again sometime!

[Kransha]

Arry, I will of course edit both my posts accordingly (it may take some time though). Fantastic job on your closing there, and it has been a great pleasure gaming with you again. Your characters are always intriguing and enjoyable to read about. Congratulations on a job well done!

Saurreg: there is time to rest, but not much. Even with all this "stuff" to endure, the group which Belegorn shall lead must head off soon. I neglected to mention, but will now, that the Dunedain are in fact becoming low on supplies, and need to find some new food sources before theirs becomes scant (they are still eating healthily, but not for long).

Novnarwen: In relation to your last PM, it might be more prudent to wait until later this week.

[CaptainofDespair]

Alrighty, I will be unable to fill my Save, and to post anything else for about a week. I'm quite overburdened with essays and other coursework for the next few days. If I can post anything, I'll be sure to get it up. But, as is most likely, I won't be posting anything for the next week.

[Osse]

Just planning post for Carthor's part in the exploration party...

I was planning to have a recount of the speech, the preparation for the journey as well as its initial stages, followed by the finding of a storeroom. The Dunedain find it in shambles - the great stone jars that were full of barley have been smashed, the casks of beer and salted meats ransacked... all the precious metals, stones and ore is all but gone - the place appears to have been looted by strong, powerful, stone-like hands. I figure this will lead into a conflict with the 'clique'...

Does anyone want to post first, with talk of the reactions to being instructed to go, with misgivings etc.? I had planned to only refer to these subjects in passing, and that in a reflective stance most probably, so anyone wishing to do so's posts would fit better before mine.

All for now... my post will be pretty hefty i suppose, so don't expect it too soon. :)

Osse

[Saurreg]

My post will be very short. It will deal with the mobilisation of the exploration party and the descend into the bowels of the earth.

Osse's got some great ideas and I'm not going to cram his style. He can fill in his ideas to the most minute of details before or after me. :)

[Kransha]

Osse, you definately have the right idea and, as Saurreg wisely put it, I'm not going to cramp your style. Hirvegil is, obviously, going to be sitting it out for a bit. This is a bid to give Belegorn more independance, as well as the group, (and, in Mellonar's eyes, to give Belegorn more chances to show his worth or screw up). Unfortunately, as I said, there are some dark creatures in the Ered Luin, including Novnarwen's band of trolls.

Without military aid, the party will have to be careful. Hopefully the Elves will be able to work with Belegorn and the others in order to avoid, outmaneuver, or "whatever" the trolls before they're all ground into jelly.

Speaking of, I am very interested to see what the Elves' reaction to the death of their kinsmen was and is? What's going on in those oh-so-alien minds, anway?

[Mithalwen]

Possibly having had to spend so much time coshed/drugged as a plot device and dumped in the Ered Luin without a squeak has made us fatalistic/apathetic .....

[Saurreg]

Possibly having had to spend so much time coshed/drugged as a plot device and dumped in the Ered Luin without a squeak has made us fatalistic/apathetic .....

Aw... Don't be such a no Mithy. Perhaps Kransha can set up a scenario whereby Belegorn and company gets hammered by the hordes of the underdark and your character can come to the rescue! K? :)

[Osse]

Nice Saurreg...

Writing of my post will be slow going over the next few days, as it's going to be a busy time. Hopefully I'll find time to make it worthy. Anyone who was planning posts of initial stages of travel in the dwarf halls can, and probably should, post before me.

[Kransha]

Of course, Mithalwen, I apologize for exploiting the incapacitation of your character and others for the sake of the plot (even though I can't, for the life of me, figure out what "without a squeak" means in that context...I think I'm getting senile). I realize that this is always hard to adapt to under most circumstances, but you will get more chances to evolve in the game. Also, leaving the Elves fatalistic/apathetic was what I was going for...sort of.

It's been a bit since anyone has posted. I'd like to take this oppurtunity to give everyone a little nudge. I realize also that many may be hesitant to post before Osse, who has offered himself up as the next plot-mover, but there's no need to be too hesitant. This oppurtunity to explore a whole lost city doesn't come around very often, and I leave the description thereof up to you all. Hopefully there can be a "rendez-vous" of sorts with those dastardly trolls soon enough (from a role-player's point of view, at least).

[Nilpaurion Felagund]

***** POST PLACED ON GAME ***** ~*~ PIO

And yes, all reports of my disappearance are gravely exaggerated. :cool:

Your disappearance was the one exaggerated. Two bloody months!

Right. Enedwaith, having recovered from the shock of learning two new languages (plus a new alphabet) I see that I have a momentous task of catching-up to do.

Ms. Pio, would you mind posting this before alak’s post # 111? Thanks!

~*~

While her body laid motionless on the frigid ground, Bethiril’s mind was in a place of violent turmoil.

Barely a month ago, the decision would have been easy. Erenor and Angóre meant nothing to her, and she would have betrayed them, despite their kinship, to fulfil what she had hoped to do. But now, despite the feebleness of the bond between them, the act of treachery needed she needed to do could not now be done without a great struggle.

She did not want any of them to be freed by force. She wanted this crisis resolved peacefully. Surely, the Orc chief’s plan made sense—with a land to call their own, the Glamhoth would, perhaps, no longer need to take up arms. Then the Firimar, seeing that the Orcs are no longer a threat, would follow suit. A lasting peace—all she had to do was make sure that none of them escaped. All she had to do was bring to their captors knowledge of Erenor’s concealed weapon. All she had to do was warn the Orcs of a plan to assault their camp.

But her heart, which she had kept under control for so long, now rebelled against her mind. Bethiril had begun to love her fellow emissary, the love of an older, wiser sister for a younger sibling with wisdom of her own, but who too often moved impetuously. She had sometimes thought of trying to win Erenor over to her cause, yet realised that in stifling the free spirit within, she would destroy her.

And in betraying your friend, you would destroy yourself.

She was roused from her thoughts by Ereglin, who wanted to know whether she was fine or not. There must be other ways of fulfilling my mission, she said to herself, as she set all thoughts of treachery aside.

[Nuranar]

I've been checking in daily, but the usual round of duties, on top of uncertainty of what to write, have kept me from posting. But now, before Osse stirs up some excitement, I'll get in.

My save will be filled, Lord willing, by Friday evening. (I will be traveling a good bit of tomorrow.)

[Mithalwen]

Without a squeak ie without a squeak of protest - I meant that given the Elves were united in their opposition to retreating to the Ered Luin as a course of action I am surprised that they would have meekly trotted of there without a murmur when from all I could follow of the route their abduction would have brought them relatively close to Mithlond.

[Amanaduial the archer]

Apologies, I meant to post a regular 'disclaimer' of my post but church called so I didn't have time. Mithalwen - is my handling of Erenor alright in my last post? Please PM me if you wish me to edit etc :)

[Nuranar]

My Save, she is filled.

Osse, Aman, and Nornarwen, please let me know if there's anything you wished changed. I did my best, but they're your characters, not mine. :)

[Garen LiLorian]

Just a quick post from a public computer to let everyone know that I am not, in fact, dead in a ditch somewhere.

I am, however, on a family vacation and without the services of my trusty laptop (Airport baggage handlers...:mad: ) I will try to check in as often as I can over the next week, but I would be very pleased if Angore could be carried along until next Sunday or so, when I shall once again be able to post.

Thanks much,
Garen

P.S. Great posts by all in the last week or so! Really a pleasure to read.

[Osse]

Nuranar - your handling of Carthor was excellent, no issues there.

[Saurreg]

I am thinking of enlisting the invaluable aid of Osse's character in my post. The background of his character (experience and training) makes it the best candidate as military advisor and if not, joint-commanding officer of the military contigent. What say you Osse?

I should think that the complexity of the dwavern tunnels will prove to be a navigational problem for the Dünedain survivors, especially with the threat posed by Novnarwen's horde (wonderfully written intro!). So I wonder if it would be alright to Amanaduial and all writers with elven characters that I also enlist your life-like characters in the same post as leaders of advance scouting/reconnaissance kampfgrüppens (teams)? My character would be hoping that superior elven senses would allow the survivors to make sense of the labyrinth they are in and interprete some sort of a pattern in the network of tunnels.

Permissions? Objections? Suggestions? Counter-suggestions?! :D

[Mithalwen]

Apologies, I meant to post a regular 'disclaimer' of my post but church called so I didn't have time. Mithalwen - is my handling of Erenor alright in my last post? Please PM me if you wish me to edit etc :)

No major issues as things stand but I will PM a couple of minor edits to make ERenor slightly warmer - she is steely but not quite so cold as all that ;)

[Amanaduial the archer]

Thanks - and here was me thinking maybe I had made her a little too friendly! Typical....;)

[Osse]

Carthor, I think, would shy away from the responsibility at first - but the role fits him. A little look at the group he'd help lead would give him a shove in the right direction I think... Belegorn would only have to prod slightly for Carthor to take the role...

So yes, I'm more than happy for Carthor to take the role of military advisor/second in command. :)

[Nilpaurion Felagund]

I think the Elves--well, at least Bethiril and Erenor--, having recovered from grief, weariness, or stress, will now try to do what they did back in the North Downs--bother your King.

Fellow Elves: If he is presumptive, let him know. I enjoy watching him deflate.

[Osse]

Deleted my save, will let everyone organise and post about events before the start of the journey before I go off and move us all along by a week or so, or at least a few days. Will write up a small post, a 'teaser' if you like, for now. :)

EDIT: Posted... it's a little larger than I intended, but that's always my way.

[Nilpaurion Felagund]

My post above was meant for Saurreg. :o

[Osse]

Thought so... :p

[Saurreg]

My post above was meant for Saurreg. :o

You enjoy watching me deflate? :confused:

[Saurreg]

Osse - do let me know if my usage of your character is not okay. I'll do an edit if needed. :)

[Mithalwen]

Nilp -I don't understand Berethil's conversation with Erenor - which event do you mean?

[Amanaduial the archer]

Your edits have been made, Mithalwen :) I also added a little to the last paragraph, but your changes were fine, excellent. And thank you, by the way - hey, I'm always up for an unexpected gift or two...:p

Thanks,
- Aman

[Osse]

Your handling of Carthor was fine Saurreg, good post. :)

[Lalwendë]

First of all, my apologies for what must have been some length of time away from posting. I have been suffering somewhat from a lack of inspiration and found it hard to fit my character into the storyline - lots of marvellous fighting and soldierly discussion, but not what an ordinary person would be involved in? Hmmm... Ideas are welcome! But now the people are in hiding it might be a little easier; at the least, I can post some 'atmosphere' posts, showing how it might feel to be in such a situation, which is what I have done. Hope this is OK. :)

[Saurreg]

Good post Lalwendë! I should have my character come over and interract with yours as soon as possible.

New post up. Back to some good old role playing!

[Nilpaurion Felagund]

Saurreg: The speaker in italics is Adam, my alter-ego. He wants the other Elves to say I'm presumptuous, and that they have other plans, in hopes of him seeing me deflate.

Forgive my alter-ego for any misunderstanding he may have caused.

Mith: I meant the kidnapping. (qv. (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showpost.php?p=376053&postcount=72))

[Mithalwen]

Oh I see...

[Kransha]

Hello, all. Just checking in after a bit here to make sure all is going well. I do think it is time for another helpful prod in the proper direction. Since Hirvegil is sitting out, the plot has to be moved at a reasonable pace by the other characters, and I think that the troll battle should begin this weekend at the latest. It can last a bit, of course, but I had hoped it would already be underway. Osse, if you still have that post you mentioned in the works, I hope it can be placed up soon, unless I have somehow overlooked it.

This season brings a bit of a detriment to the corpus of the Downs; not an irreversible impediment, just a slow season. Still, I must push a little here, poke a little there to keep everything moving. Luckily, I am continually gladdened by the high quality of everyone's posts. Congrats, keep it up...

[Saurreg]

Hi, I thing the elves can take over from here now.

[piosenniel]

Here is a post from Amanaduial who is having computer problems: (And please disregard the '"sainted' title she has attached to my name.) ;)

~*~ Pio

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Kransha, elves, Dunedain, and assorted well-meaningly challenged beings,

At present my computer has, how you say...thrown a wobbly - ie. I am unable, at present, to get onto the barrowdowns at all, and so can't check up on the RPG. Unfortunately I hit another rock in that I have the emails of none of you - yaysies! - and so am mildly stuck as to what to do. Posting this message is the sweet saint Piosenniel (and if she removes this part of the message I shall come and haunt her, I'm not just saying it for the good of my health!) who has been giving me updates, but as she has kindly agreed to keep me updated on the current subplot of the Green Dragon and on Shadow of the West, my Rohan RPG....well, this is by way of taking off one load from her wings. Sorry, I mean shoulders.

I recieve some notifications for this RPG, but hotmail has a natural inclination, it would appear, for filing half the barrowdowns messages in junk - or at least, it has done in the past. Maybe no posts have yet been made (which is perhaps a good and bad thing), but either way, I have as yet recieved no notifications from the RPG or discussion thread (ie. since my last post made on the RPG). My email is

Aman left her email addy here, but I'd feel safer if you PM'd me and I'll send it to you -- Piosenniel (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/member.php?find=lastposter&f=26)****

I apologise for being such a burden, but if...if you could possibly send me a copy of a post that you make. I'm sorry! I feel a right nuisance (even if that may not be the correct spelling) but due to my browser's paddy, I am, as you say, in the mud (thank you, Encaitare!).

It would be immeasurably appreciated if you could do this - it should only be temporary, until I make up with my computer - he's terribly proud, you know, refuses to reconsile an arguement despite all pleas, bribes, threats and resorts to physical violence. If you have any other reason to get in touch with me, obviously PM ain't so much of a runner right now, so email is all good, and I am also on MSN with the same address (and AIM, but I feel that I'm definitely plugging now...*sigh* Amanaduial on AIM anyway...)

Thank you very much for your patience, and I hope to be back asap

Yours,
- Amanaduial

[Osse]

Post was still in the works prior to exam week.. sorry, i haven't had time to finish it yet. Now exams are over, i'll have it up soon!

[Saurreg]

The government wants Saurreg to put on his helmet and grab a rifle so he won't be around for the next two weeks.

[Osse]

I need clarification: are Faerim and Erenor going off apart from the main group containing Carthor's family, Belegorn and the soldiery, or just taking the lead?

my post has been written, but i don't want it to clash with anyone else's. :D

[Lalwendë]

I've been discussing with Nuranar some ways of getting our characters involved so I've posted to that effect with a mishap for my character (Lissi will have something to do here...). But I have noticed that Osse has a post coming along about finding a storeroom so I just wanted to say that either:

- my post might need to be moved to before that one, and if so, please let me know if I have to do anything. I don't mind if it does have to be moved, though!

or

- seeing as the search party had halted, this might be that they had found the storeroom, and so my post would then 'fit' after Osse's. But it might mean that their discovery would be interrupted by some frantic screaming!

I'm fine either way, unless someone has a better idea! :)

[Mithalwen]

My understanding is that it is elves taking the lead only - like canaries as a test for poisonous gas in mines.. ;)

[piosenniel]

Everyone please take the time to remove your signatures from both posts and SAVES to the game thread.

Thanks!

~*~ Pio

[Nilpaurion Felagund]

It's like, the summer vacation here, so all sources of work-free income is, like, cut off. And since I live, like, near a rice field, there's no way we could have, like, internet at home. So my Downs visits will be, like, curtailed.

But I'll fill that save, like, tomorrow.

Does the sabbatical require a brain shutdown? And multiple use of the word "like"?

Like, whatever.

[Osse]

Lal: i can work around your sticky situation. harf harf harf.

[Nuranar]

Osse, once you get your post up I'll write Lissi's response to Renedwen's predicament. I don't want to jump the gun on your scene-setting. :)

[Kransha]

Hello...again.

As some of you may know, I have, in fact, been unable to do any major "postage" on the Downs in the last few weeks, due to a non-lethal and not-dreadfully-painful but very inconvenient sickness. Now, I'm back, cured of all my ails, and glad to see that things are picking up a bit. Since, obviously, the troll encounter ended up being put off for over a week, I have to do some major hurrying along here. I realize it may be hard to post for some, but do try. The Dunedain/Elves and Trolls should be fighting by the end of this weekend at the latest, providing everyone is here and not somehow awol. Soon enough I'll be able to start doing some backseat propulsion, but this game is still in your [collective] hands.

[Mithalwen]

Any probs with my post, just let me know... I have left it open enough for Ereglin to be with Erenor and Angore if he wishes ... I asumed Berethil stayed with the main group.

[Amanaduial the archer]

Ditto to Mithalwen. The fight is on!

[Kransha]

*steeples fingers*...Excellent...

What, you expected more?

To be a little more wordy, this conflict should go on awhile. Confusion in the tunnels should create ample oppurtunity for maneuvering and combat oddities. Hopefully, no one will be killed off, but I highly doubt the trolls will be defeated - highly. In about a week or so (real life), something maaay happen, but I make no promises. Post away, folks!

[Nuranar]

Meaning it is no longer a save - there is a post in it. *basks in self-approval for getting it filled in the self-imposed deadline*

Lalwendë, I hope I've handled Renedwen all right. Up till now I could hardly have seen her as anything but fully self-possessed. But if this situation wouldn't drive her to panic, what would? That said, I'll change anything if you want it. There wasn't much I could do in the way of setting up more meaningful interaction (either that or I'm giving up), although in my defense I must say that the upcoming battle ought to cut off anything of the kind most effectually.

Aman, I was trying to end my post in the right place, and was confused by your reference to the screaming. It looks like your post picks up right after Mithalwen's, in which the scream is centered, but then you mention more screams in the last paragraph. Is something else going to happen with Lissi and Renedwen? I can do that... I just want to make sure that I'm reading this right.

*re-reads post* I'm getting long-winded and incoherent. Apologies to all, and goodnight....

[Amanaduial the archer]

Well, whatever you wish, my dear - but I thought we may as well launch into the full blown fight. There are spiders and trolls whiffling through the tulgey caves - I think a little more trouble would be easy enough to manage ;) Would that be alright? If you want them out and that's it, I will of course edit, but it just seemed...well, there's a fight: everyone loves a good fight ;)

[Nuranar]

Sounds good to me! Just double-checking that I wasn't tying the timeline in knots. ;)

[Novnarwen]

Hi!

I have filled my save. Sorry for the long wait! I've left it open at the end; you're all free to attack. Stuttering Stuga and Frett will not be present at the fight. Not now, anyhow.

When it comes to the troll's weapons; they didn't really bring any, so they'll have to use their intellect. :rolleyes: Throwing stones at you, is also an option. :p

Please let me know if it needs editing!

Cheers,
Nova

[Osse]

I was just filling my save, sorry it's been there so long btw, and i fell asleep at the keyboard. It's half done so i will finish it off first thing tomorrow, Australian time that is...

Sorry again for the delay, life is hell - fun, but hell.

[Osse]

Save = filled!

[Saurreg]

I'm back... finally. I'll try to post ASAP.

[Saurreg]

I blame myself for being away for the last two weeks.

Some clarifications needed please:

1. Was the spider that Faerim and Erenor slew the only one of its kind?

2. Did the spider stalk the group of refugees or did they unwittingly stumble into it's lair?

3. Are all trolls in front of the refugee column and encountered only by the elven vanguard and Carthor?

[Osse]

Saurreg, good to have you back.

My thoughts on the trolls were that as Renedwen screamed, and the smaller group of refugees rushed off to help, the majority of the group still stood and waited at the storeroom entrance. After they got lost, Carthor's group ended up snaking their way in the rough direction of the storeroom, though they didnt know it, and have come out behind the trolls as they stalked the rest of the group. Which means the trolls will have to decide who to bash the most.

This was just me, and I didnt really discuss these thoughts with anyone else. Hope i haven't dented anyone's upcoming material.

[Kransha]

Firstly, great stuff, everyone. Drama in the catacombs is, for lack of a better word, dramatic, and the tension caused by the trolls, spiders, and inter-group relations is being done very well. Its good to have everyone here, and most people posting, even though I am still undergoing some recovery from the inconvenient ailment I mentioned earlier. But, that's beside the point. I've had to throw another curve-ball, but I hope it will turn out to be an interesting one.

There's something else in the caves of the Ered Luin, besides trolls and spiders. It's slightly more intelligent, as a collective force, and probably more helpful, but it has some downsides as well. My latest post introduces a new crew of additional characters. Rather than go into rambling now, I will let the post speak for itself, answer any and all questions, and go into detail a little later on...

P.S. Apologies to Edvard Grieg for the post title.

[Mithalwen]

How hard is it to kill a troll? Obviously they are big and think skinned and I guess wapping them over the head with a frying pan would have little effect but I can't remember any instances in the books of them being killed other than by daylight - I think Gandalf blocked the one in Moria...

Since I don't think there are windows handy and I doubt Erenor could shove a troll through one anyway even with Faerim's help ..... but could Erenor, Faerim and Angore tackle a troll as a trio or would they require a symphony orchestra of supporting dunedain..?

What about the ones at the Pelennor? (And why didn't they turn to stone...)

[piosenniel]

There are six types of Troll written by Tolkien: See HERE (http://www.glyphweb.com/arda/t/trolls.html). Only the Stone trolls encountered by Bilbo and the Dwarves were mentioned to be turned to stone with the sun's light.

I would imagine that if cleverly knocked down, a nice sharp stave/spear could be rammed in between the scales of the troll's hide (An armpit would be good - puncture the lung, and if shoved far enough and at a downward angle, the heart would be pierced). Or one right through the ear hole into the brain would do it. And of course there are always the eyes . . .

~*~ Pio, the bloodthirsty

[Mithalwen]

There are six types of Troll written by Tolkien: See HERE (http://www.glyphweb.com/arda/t/trolls.html). Only the Stone trolls encoutered by Bilbo and the Dwarves were mentioned to be turned to stone with the sun's light.

I would imagine that if cleverly knocked down, a nice sharp stave/spear could be rammed in between the scales of the troll's hide (An armpit would be good - puncture the lung, and if shoved far enough and at a downward angle, the heart would be pierced). Or one right through the ear hole into the brain would do it. And of course there are always the eyes . . .

~*~ Pio, the bloodthirsty

Eeeek Thank you .... *makes mental note to be very careful to delete sigs in future - incurring the wrath of Pio could be very painful ..... *

[Garen LiLorian]

Angore hunts trolls. It's more or less what he does, and he does it solo, usually. What Pio said is why he carries those javelins with extra-long spikes on the top. I should think that the three of them would be capable of defeating a troll. :cool: Three trolls, on the other hand...

[Novnarwen]

Three trolls, on the other hand...

Correction; only three trolls I have given names.. (Stuttering Stuga and Frett the Expelled are not included.)

From my last post
In another tunnel, which bent into the opposite direction of where Stuttering Stuga and the newly deceased Frett were, a gang of trolls was lost in the dark; among them were Riva, the Old Hag, Uruva, the ‘Beautiful’, and the intelligent Grawa.

So, in truth there are no less than.... 6-7 trolls..

Good luck.. :P

[Osse]

Saurreg, Belegorn will no longer be alone for his little distraction... and I don't mean help from dwarves. The call of "RUN" should be echoing in Belegorn's ears pretty soon.

Oh and by the way, check your PM's.



Regards,
Osse

[Saurreg]

Yup, yup, I read your PM Osse!

So what say you?

[Nuranar]

I just went to write in my post, but I've gotted really mixed up when I tried to understand the situation. My understanding, as I read through the journeying posts, is that


Most of the Elves & Faerim were in front.
Belegorn, Bethiril, and (what appears to be) the main body of soldiers. (How many soldiers ARE there, by the way?)
Carthor & Co., apparently including all of the civilians and miscellaneous soldiers.


That is how I construct the marching order. Now for a rundown of events, post-by-post:


Renedwen wanders on when her group (#3) stops. She gets caught in spider web and starts screaming.
Carthor's group investigate a storeroom and are interrupted by Renedwen's screams.
Lissi, who had passed the storeroom, rescues Renedwen, and they head back; they are met by some of Carthor's group, and all turn back toward the storeroom once more.
Elves & Faerim (group #1) as vanguard (well in front of everyone) hear Renedwen's screams and start back. Immediately they begin to hear troll drums from what is now behind them - what is waaaay in front of everybody.
They run into Belegorn & Bethiril (group #2). On Belegorn's orders (and hearing of trolls), some soldiers retreat back up the tunnel (which ought to be toward group #3). Group #1, Belegorn, Bethiril, and the few remaining soldiers then hear different screams - from further back behind in the tunnel. Faerim takes off, followed by Erenor, and is attacked by something. I presume this is Renedwen's mistaken turnoff; if so, group #3 is still further back up the tunnel.
The trolls hear a scream - EITHER Renedwen's OR the second set - follow up and meet with somebody.
Erenor fights the spider that has attacked Faerim.
Carthor, in front of the 6 or 7 men who left the storeroom after hearing Renedwen, meets up with Lissi & Renedwen coming out of the spidery turnoff. They head back to the storeroom but get lost. NOTE: In the confusion and hurry that had followed Renedwen’s scream, the group of six or seven men that had rushed to her had failed to mark their route. They were now far from the glow of the rest of the group’s torches as they stood perplexed at the door of the storeroom, and had no mark to guide them through the twisting and turning tunnels. I'm confused - who is the bolded they? If it's Carthor, Lissi, &c., where is the rest of group #3? I thought the first sentence quoted implies that there were some of group #3 - NOT the 6 or 7 men - who did not go to Renedwen. Or are they the rest of group #3, and it's their torches that Carthor, &c., can't find? Either way, Carthor, &c., run out of torchlight and into trolls. Carthor orders a general retreat.
Faerim fights the spider.
Erenor and Faerim kill the spider and are joined by Angóre.
Belegorn and the rest of his soldiers head back up the tunnel, away from the trolls and toward the screams. Angóre eventually follows.
Belegorn and his soldiers reach Faerim and Erenor and their kill, AND Lissi and Renedwen, some distance down the tunnel, but apparently still just recently rescued. They are with some refugees, which ought to be the main body of group #3. Belegorn orders Faerim to lead the women and the rest of the refugees into a side tunnel. Apparently Carthor is not with them - but Osse's post, in which they bump into trolls, includes Lissi, Renedwen, and presumably Brander. Belegorn heads waaaay back up the tunnel, past the spider turn-off, lights a flaming barricade, and heads up another turnoff to divert the advancing trolls.


My immediate problem is that Lissi is in two places at once: (1) Lost with Carthor's group and (2) back with the main body of refugees WITHOUT Carthor. Incidentally, Option 2 leaves unresolved the second set of screams, the ones that send Belegorn and his men back in Post 11. I was going to work this in with running into trolls, in Post 8, but if Lissi and Renedwen aren't running into trolls, who's screaming?

The other major confusion, as I see it, is How on earth does Carthor's group run into trolls in the first place? When they meet up with Lissi and Renedwen at the spider turnoff, they at least start to head BACK up the tunnel toward the storeroom. But they end up waaaay in FRONT of the main body, if they're running into trolls. And if they're in FRONT of the main body, how can the women's screams becoming from the BACK of the tunnel?

And incidentally, just how many people are on this little expedition? How many soldiers are along - and how many extra refugees? There can't be that many, if Lissi and Renedwen are the only women... Can there?

I am most seriously confused! :eek:

[Lalwendë]

I'm glad you put that one on, Nuranar! I've been getting a bit confused too, and I was a bit daunted when I came to sit and write a post on Friday, so I had to leave it. I'd like Renedwen to follow where Lissi goes to be honest, so I am stuck. :(

[Osse]

Well, Saurreg and myself just saw the little problem that is the Ladies Lissi and Renedwen being in two places at once.

We're endeavouring to fix it.

Nuranar... Carthor and the men that rushed towards the scream, were some of those already in the storeroom, and a couple from outside where the rest of the civilians/soldiery were still standing - outiside in the corridor to the right of the door.

Carthor rushed towards the scream, running down around a slight bend, and down towards the fork in the corridors into which Renedwen wanders, just far enough away that they could not see the glow of the other's lights, I mean it's a pretty large party for such a small space, but still.

Carthor finds them going back, and his group of say four soldiers, and two civilians meet up with Lissi and Renedwen as they hobble back. Then it gets interesting...

Carthor takes a wrong turn, into a corridor that runs more or less the same way they have came, one they didn't see on the fast run in, but actually seems like the major route when you come to it. So, the group walks down it...

But it's not straight, far from it, and curves back around towards the storeroom, being one of many streets that leads to it... they come in towards the room from a long way off, in a curve - up behind the trolls, and now on the wrong side of Belegorn's fire wall. So... seven men and two women are trapped with who-knows-how-many trolls...


Does that make sense?


P.S I can change the whole scenario if it suits you all better!

Regards, Osse

[Saurreg]

Good ideas Osse.

Dear all, may I offer this alternative:

1. Renedwen(?) missed the rest of the refugees and veered of into a tunnel where she got caught in the arachnid's webs and screamed really.

2. Lissi went to look for Renedwen with Brander and succeeded. HOWEVER the five of them (including the two children) kinda went off in the wrong direction, i.e. no longer back to the main corridor on their way back.

3. Carthor, scout D and the rest of his men find the five refugees but then the ENTIRE troupe entered ANOTHER wrong passage and they all end up behind the trolls.

4. Mean while the rest of the adventurers (Belegron, Erenor, Angore, Faerim etc) heard the screams and also the sound of drums. They were somewhere ahead of the main body.

5. Erenor and Faerim manage to slay the arachnid close to the vicinity where Renedwen got stuck but the two creature slayers did not make the same mistake as the Dunadains and get themselves lost.

6. Belegorn presumed that Carthor was somewhere near the arachnid's lair looking for the two women and their little tikes but has no idea that they were already behind the trolls.

This would involve lotsa re-editing on everybody's part. But If you, Nuranar would want to claim the right of first post and not want to revise the scenario you set, then let Osse and I know ASAP and do, PLEASE DO give us some suggestions on how we can resolve this confusion.

Peace.

P.S: Kransha, if you're reading, we need your arbitration quick!

[Saurreg]

Of numbers.

And thanks for the answers, Kransha. So, there's around 100 military types, around 50 king-civilians, and, say, 75 plain civilians? I can work with that.

Nuranar, this is the number that left fornost. After the engagement with the orcs, I would say that only about 50 or so guardsmen and the king's own guards remained.

When the refugees first arrived in the Dwarven halls, the King ordered the refugees to divide themselves into groups of ten or twenties.

However I don't think Belegorn or Hirvegil would have approved of the king's plan. I assume that depsite his own words, the king's entourage would comprise of the antire 50ish aristocrats, nobles and members of his household together with the entire company of King's bodybody guards. That would easily number over seventy.

With the King's guards gone, what's left would be at the most twenty over guardsmen and the 75 plain civilians (how did you get this number anyway?). To parcel out the 75 with their respective escorts out into groups of at most twenty would dilute the guardsmen's ability to maintain security and lead too greatly, therefore I should think Belegorn only divided the guardsmen and refugees into halves. And because he was ordered by Mellonar to command one column together with carthor in it, it was only logical to assume that the "leaderless" group was assigned with more men to compensate. That would mean that Belegorn's group would have only about ten men or so (he was counting on the elves for their support also).

Carthor took Scout D and a couple of men along (say six) and that left the group with about four left. The remaining followed belegorn around and hence the column was more or less, hehe unguarded!

[Nuranar]

From page 2 of the discussion:

In reference to Saurreg's comment that only 100 of the Rearguard are left:
Point of information: If there's only about 100 fighting men left, how many civilians are there? And how many of these are councillors/courtiers/something to do with government?
There are more civilians than soldiers, but not much. The exact number is up to you or anyone else who cares to throw a number about, as long as its not too many (remember, a lot of the poorer civilians lived in the outermost sanctum of Fornost, which was completely destroyed, and many in the second level were slain. All courtiers and ministers save a few survived, though. There are probably 50 people who have ties to the King (courtiers, etc), but that's not definitive.
And thanks for the answers, Kransha. So, there's around 100 military types, around 50 king-civilians, and, say, 75 plain civilians? I can work with that.

Those numbers for the civilians were estimates to help me in visualizing the situation. I reach them by a sort of mental algebra:

Kransha said there are more civilians than soldiers. Thus the Number of Civilians (X) must be greater than 100. So X > 100.
50 out of the X are courtiers and so forth. Logically, the ordinary civilians would outnumber those. So the Number of Ordinary Civilians (X-50) > 50.
I arbitrarily chose (X-50) = 75. Therefore X = 125. (X-5) is significantly larger than the number of courtiers, and X is larger than the number of soldiers. Therefore X, total civilians, outnumber the soldiers, but not by much, as Kransha stipulated.

Keep in mind, these are round numbers - approximations only.

If we take Saurreg's estimate of only 50 soldiers left after the orc-fight, we're down to a total of 175 people, with the civilians now forming more than 70% of that. However, that's not calculating any civilian deaths along the way. Illness, poor and diminishing food, harsh weather, continuous travel and exertion, and accidents, just to name a few, should have killed a number of civilians - particularly young children, the weak/sick, wounded, &c. The cumulative nature of most of these factors will mean that more are likely to die. ALSO, these are far more likely to be plain civilians than courtiers. After a little consideration, I'd say we'll have lost a good 10-20 civilians, only a couple of them courtiers. This could easily be more, if accounted for by an outbreak of a specific illness. By specific, I mean something contagious and exacerbated by cold and weakness (influenza??), instead of simply lots of pneumonia.

How's that for trivializing the momentous and complicating the obvious?

[Kransha]

Nuranar, it seems to me that you must have a Ph.D in trivializing the momentous and complicating the obvious - you're very good at it. Of course, under these circumstances, such talent is a good thing.

Humbly, I step out of numerical controversy, Nuranar, Saurreg, and Osse seem to be handling the organization of the matter better than I ever could. Obviously the level of organization:disorganization is what is necessary, and confusion in the caverns is a must. Perhaps the real life confusion can be drawn upon to aid character confusion, but I digress. Soon enough, another series of entities altogether will arrive and [attempt to] set things straight. Dwarves are notoriously geometric, but centuries of isolation has left them a little loopy, so the Dunedain/Elves might do best to sort matters of combat and order out before the Dwarves arrive and upset the best laid plans of mice and men...not that John Stienbeck knew anything about crazy Dwarves.

I won't, however, intrude directly. The Dwarves are meant to be a bit of deus ex machina (yes, I am using unecessarily complicated explanations; so?) but not save the day. Their armor isn't shiny enough to do the job in proper fashion anyway. It does stand to reason that the Dunedain/Elves will not be able to take out all the trolls, but they can do what they can do. I'm not going to dictate what must happen in this encounter, even though I am going to plop my newly introduced dwatves into the picture in a few days, if possible.

[Nuranar]

Osse, I understand your explanation. Actually, a windy (that's WINE-dy) tunnel is the only mechanism I could come up with to explain how they bump into trolls, so that works fine. By the way, though, that'll be 7 men, 2 women, 1 boy (Brander), and the two little boys. It's unavoidable, since Renedwen has her son and I explicitly wrote Brander and Gilly into my post.

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Saurreg, I'm not sure I fully understand your proposal, but I think I get the gist of it. I think the simplest approach would be for you to modify this part of your post: “I do not think so Lieutenant,” She replied as-a-matter-of-factly, “Neither Faerim nor I, or the rest of your people were harmed bodily. But this expired denizen of the dark might have caused some, unbearable mental anguish…”

Belegorn frowned, perplexed by the words of the sphinx. He was in no mood for word games and was about to question her again, when she pointed towards his back. Belegorn turned his head and saw two women huddled together with the rest of the refugees – Belegorn has ran pass them without noticing. The taller one was strikingly stunning but her face was drained of color and ghostly pale, her doe-like eyes were wide with fear and her delicate lips were trembling. The other woman was holding on to her and whispering constantly to the former; reassuring her no doubt, thought Belegorn.

Belegorn nodded in relief but the tense look did not leave his grave face. He turned back towards Erenor and Faerim, and resumed, “It is agreeable that no one is hurt. But we have other pressing issues at hand.”
Just to keep the women, Brander, and Gilly, out of it. Instead, perhaps Erenor can point out the cut web; it would be clear that someone had been there. Since the group's spread out, there's no way to know which one of them had done it.

The refugees you mention are the rest of Carthor's party, the ones who stayed at the storeroom. Because of the disorganization and confusion (And don't forget the darkness!) it makes sense for Belegorn not to realize that Carthor isn't where he should be. That leaves Belegorn's orders for Faerim, to lead the refugees and look for his father, perfectly reasonable.

The screams that sends Faerim and Erenor into action can perhaps be some of the refguees, frightened of the troll-sounds. Even though they probably don't know that they ARE trolls, they're perfectly capable of imagining terrifying monsters hiding in the shadows.

I hope I'm not missing anything... If not, I think that should resolve our confusion and will involve only one modification.

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So, we have this marching order at the beginning:

<-- [Elves, Faerim] <-- <-- [Carthor]

And try this proposed new outline:


Most of Carthor's group stops to investigate a storeroom. Renedwen gets caught and rescued by Lissi. On their way back they meet up with Carthor and six men from his group. They head back to the rest of the group, which includes most of the civilian refugees, back at the storeroom.
The Elves and Faerim are well in front, and start back when they hear Renedwen and troll drums. They meet up with Belegorn's group. More screams are heard, and Faerim is jumped by a spider when he heads back.
Carthor, Lissi, Renedwen, the three boys, and the six men take the wrong turning on their way back to the storeroom. This wrong turn loops around and instead of taking them BACK, takes them FORWARD. Their lights go out and they run into the trolls.
The remainder of Carthor's group, mainly civilians, presumably wanders from the storeroom in a forward direction.
Erenor and Faerim kill the spider and are joined by Angóre, Belegorn, and the rest of the soldiers. The rest of the refugees are in sight, further back down the main tunnel. Belegorn orders Faerim to lead the women and the rest of the refugees into a side tunnel. Belegorn heads waaaay back up the tunnel, past the spider turn-off, lights a flaming barricade, and heads up another turnoff to divert the advancing trolls.


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they come in towards the room from a long way off, in a curve - up behind the trolls, and now on the wrong side of Belegorn's fire wall. So... seven men and two women are trapped with who-knows-how-many trolls...

But in order for them to run into the trolls, the mistake tunnel must JOIN the main tunnel, forward of the spider turnoff and even farther forward of the storeroom. Since Carthor orders a retreat, that will send them BACK down the mistake tunnel - With troll pursuit? - and re-enter the main tunnel on the RIGHT side of the fire wall. So they shouldn't ever enter the main tunnel at all, and Belegorn will still be alone. Osse, if you want them to be trapped with Belegorn, I've a couple suggestions:

The mistake tunnel can join the main tunnel at a different angle, so when the group keep going in what seems to them the same direction, they're actually heading BACK up the main tunnel. Then they can come upon the trolls from the back. The retreat will send them once more FORWARD up the main tunnel, where even the vanguard haven't yet come up.
Specify that they enter into another, probably larger tunnel. If they keep going in the same direction, they will be going FORWARD, and can meet the trolls head-on. Thus, when Carthor orders the retreat, they'll go BACK up the tunnel, almost certainly missing the join with the mistake tunnel, and they'll eventually run into Belegorn's fire wall.

But probably you have a better idea. :)

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As far as the numbers go, Saurreg addresses the configuration of the groups pretty well. If you incorporate my suggestions about civilian casualties, and subtract the king's group as Saurreg proposes (all 45-50 courtiers and 20 soldiers [Surely even the king wouldn't take 30 of 50?]), we are left with these ROUGH estimates:

30 soldiers
60 civilians

Now, that's 90 people; divide into groups of 20, and you have 4.5 groups. Let's make that 4 groups with about 22 people each. If we maintain the soldier/civilian ratio, that will be about 7 soldiers for every 14 civilians. To my mind, that's still a very reasonable protector/protected ratio.

Or, if y'all prefer Belegorn to form only 2 groups: 90 people divides into 2 groups of 45 each. If they're identical groups, each will have 15 soldiers for 30 civilians. But one group will have both Belegorn and Carthor; to compensate the other group, which lacks a [named] leader, it will have more soldiers than the first. So let's say the first will have 10 soldiers and 35 civilians. The second will have 20 soldiers and 25 civilians.

Now to figure in our characters. Assuming "soldier" is used of the generic fighter, and not of our characters, we have among us 12 civilians: Belegorn, Carthor, Lissi, Faerim, Brander, Renedwen, son (sorry, I can't remember his name), Gilly, Erenor, Angóre, Bethiril, and Ereglin.
[b]7 soldiers/14 civilians - Remainder: 7 soldiers and 2 other civilians. In that case it would be perfectly reasonable for Lissi and Renedwen to be the only women in the group.
10 soldiers/35 civilians - Remainder: 10 soldiers and 23 other civilians. There will likely be other women and children in that case.

Either way, our free soldiers are very few. In Option 2, if Carthor took 4 with him, that leaves a total of 6. Belegorn can scarcely have fewer than 5 with him. In that case, the rest of Carthor's group, at the rear of the line, will have 23 unprotected civilians. In Option 1, Belegorn will have only 3 men total - but there will only be two civilians left, with Carthor and his people missing.

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My Opinion as Far as Numbers Go

(I know, most of the numbers above are my opinions as well. Stay with me here.)

The ratio of soldier/civilian is going to stay the same, no matter how the groups are divided up. I think 1/2 is a decent proportion; not as great as it was after they left Fornost, of course, but it's not unreasonable. Thus I think group configuration depends more on size for safety, unity, and effectiveness.

I think that the small groups of 22 are quite small. If they run into any threat, 7 or 8 soldiers aren't going to go very far, regardless of how many they need to protect. For that matter, 10 soldiers are very few as well. If they have to protect 35 instead of 14, though, they're going to be stretched in-cred-i-bly thin.

In an underground maze like this, smaller groups are better for going unnoticed. Larger groups are better for more thorough investigation and for safety. I think their chances of being unnoticed are minute anyway - you can't expect civilians to not make noise - but at the same time, large groups are very unwieldy. Look what happened to us - we're all writing the thing and still we can't figure where everyone has gone! These tunnels are narrow; 45 people are going to stretch out a long way. You lose most of the advantage of size when you're liable to being chopped up into bits like that.

Now, as far as the other group(s) being leaderless: As I understand it, these soldiers are Rearguardsmen, experienced career soldiers. And they're good - they wouldn't have survived this long if they weren't. Even though none of them have been named, I would think that there are still other officers among them; even if not, all Belegorn needs to do is appoint a leader or two. (He ought to know his men well enough to do that, I think.) The point is that they'll do fine without being compensated by so many extra.

So I propose 3 groups with equivalent configuration: 3 groups of 30, 10 soldiers to 20 civilians. Subtract our 12 characters, and we're left with 8 unnamed civilians. 30 people is definitely on the small side, but it ought to be easier to supervise, and it's large enough for reasonable defense if attacked.

Without all the fancy calculations, it still comes down that we need a rough idea of how many soldiers and how many civilians are in this group with us. I suggest 30 total, with 10 soldiers, first because I think it's reasonable when the calculations are made, but second because it's still a good number for this sort of expedition. If I were to pick a number out of the air, I think 30 would still be a good number.

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I think I need to stop now. This puts my previous efforts to shame!
Obviously the level of organization:disorganization is what is necessary, and confusion in the caverns is a must. Perhaps the real life confusion can be drawn upon to aid character confusion, but I digress.
Yes, I thought it ironic how hard we're working to straighten out confusion when confusion in the tunnels is really what we want. Still, I think there's a big difference between chronological and spatial confusion and character and situational confusion! I used to point out to my brothers that, as in the case of Lou Costello, it takes someone really smart to pretend to be stupid and make it both good and funny. I think this is a parallel situation: We want confusion, but we want the characters to be confused. We don't want the reader to be confused when characters jump around in time and space without explanation! I think a bit of order behind the scenes helps to create apparent disorder on the stage.

Osse and Saurreg, I've addressed several specific questions/issues to you, and I'd appreciate your input. And everyone else, please share your opinions, especially about numbers! I'm just trying to help. :)

[Saurreg]

I like the suggestions stated and have edited my save according.

The context of the post still stays but Lissi, Renedwen, Brander and the two tots are no longer mentioned. Infact Belegorn now does not know who the victim/s is/are.

[Osse]

I was under the impression that Belegorn made his firewall in the main tunnel, that Carthor's small, lost group were turning into... that would make more sense as the trolls are being stopped from going further up this main route - stopped from heading towards the main body of refugees.

I will reread everyone's posts and try to get mine to conform, without changing the fact that Carthor, two women and three children are all stuck with some trolls.

[Saurreg]

Hehe Firewall, good one. Perhaps the incendiary was prepared by a chemist of the Norton? Hehehe.

Osse, you are right. The firewall was created in the main corridor to seperate the majority of the refugees from the trolls. At this point of time Belegorn had no idea that by creating this barrier, he had not only sealed himself and the trolls on one side, but Carthor and company also.

Hope that helps.

[Osse]

Trying the stop the trolls from hacking their way through... harf harf.

Just finished re-reading/ rewriting... i don't think there is anything that clashes anymore... i have put a little bit in about Brander and the boys though.

[Nuranar]

Nice editing, both of you - thanks!

However, I'm still not sure that we're communicating about the situation with Carthor's group and the trolls. Maybe a sketch would help:


.................................................. ........Belegorn waiting in turnoff tunnel...
.........spider tunnel..........................................|. ...................................
................|................................. ..................|............................... .......
................|................................. ..................|............................... ........
................|.....................firewall.... .................|.......A.........B..........C... ....
=======================|===================*=====* =====*===
.....|............................................ ......................................|........... ........
.....|............................................ ......................................|........... ........
......\___________________________________________ _______/...................
..................Carthor's mistake tunnel............................................ .........

== Main tunnel
__ Turnoff tunnel
The main body of refugees, the Elves, Faerim, and soldiers are in the main tunnel to the left, off the map.

My question is, Where are the trolls when Carthor re-enters the main tunnel?
If they're at point A, Carthor is behind them and they're between him and Belegorn.
If they're at point B, Carthor runs into them right when he reaches the main tunnel.
If they're at point C, Carthor meets them head-on.

This is very important because it determines the direction of Carthor's retreat.
A: Carthor retreats forward up the main tunnel (toward points B and C). It should be easy to miss the tunoff back into the mistake tunnel, but it's possible he'll find it.
B: Carthor retreats back up the mistake tunnel and never really re-enters the main tunnel at all.
C: Carthor retreats back up the main tunnel toward Belegorn and the firewall, either missing or re-finding the entrance to the mistake tunnel.

The mistake tunnel bypasses the fire wall. If Carthor's retreat leads him back up the mistake tunnel, the trolls will likely follow him. They will detour around Belegorn and the fire wall without even knowing that they're there. AND they will reenter the main tunnel very close to the main body of refugees.

Do you see my concern? For the story, it's OK not to explain the full situation like that; the people are supposed to be confused themselves. But we need to know where they're going. My post will involve the retreat, but I need to know if we'll run into the firewall or go off in other directions.

[Osse]

Lock in 'A'

[Nuranar]

Then which tunnel will the retreat take? Will they veer off into the mistake tunnel again, or keep to the main tunnel?

[Osse]

Carthor hasn't quite entered the main tunnel when he hits the troll, who is standing looking away from him in the tunnel mouth... quite a way from the about-to-be-lit firewall. The others should retreat up the way they had come, seeing as they haven't left the corridor yet...

[Saurreg]

I thank you for your diligence Nuranar. Good diagram.

As you have most probably figured out, my intentions to create a noisy diversion when the trolls close and lead them of into the turnoff tunnel.

As for Carthor and company they should have the following choices (more than those I supposed)

I. They realize that they have entered the wrong section of the main tunnel and hence retrace their route through the detour tunnel.

2. They continue their way into the main tunnel but to avoid the trolls which are still heading towards the left of the diagram, Carthor and company go right; which is further dwon the original plan of movement.

3. If Belegorn succeeds in attracting the trolls attention and leads them into the turnoff tunnel, Cathor might hear him and decide to whether to aid the lieutenant or not. The first choice would result in a battle of course.

We should consider what Novnarwen has in mind also since those are her/his trolls. S/he can play along with what we have in mind or just to spice things up, s/he could throw a curved ball and have us all reacting to a new twist instead. ;)

[Osse]

Seeing as Carthor is currently six feet off the ground in the hand of a troll, I think he'll have to fight this one out. ;)

As for what Brander, Lissi and Renedwen do... that's up to them.

A couple of the soldiers that Carthor has with him won't be running of course, not when their mate is in the hot stuff.

I guess until the trolls start their bit, we don't know how many there are, or where in the column the one Carthor ran into is...

I await your post with increasing anticipation Novnarwen! :D

[Saurreg]

I have reread your edited post again Osse.

Looks like Carthor has become the unwitting diversion instead of belegorn!

Yes, we shall see what Novnarwen has up her/his sleeves.

Novnarwen - No rush! Take your time to post. Hope you don't feel pressured.

[Osse]

It's been 9 days without any hint of further action y'all... anyone out there?

[Mithalwen]

Er I am here... just confused about wheter we had decided where everyone was....of course I could be vague as to location and start to carve up a random troll.. following Pio's helpful hints.....

[Novnarwen]

I'm really sorry for not posting. I've been really busy with school. In addition to that, I must admit that I'm quite confused.

Where are my trolls? A, B or C?

Anyway, this weekend will be very busy, and I dare not promise you that I'll be able to post. I'll probably be able to check up on this thread, but a post will have to wait to Monday.

Sorry,
Nova

Saurreg: She.. :D

[Garen LiLorian]

I, also, am here. Though a bit confused and hoping that one of the other people with Angore (Mith or Aman) wouldn't mind posting first

[Mithalwen]

Ok I will post a troll hunter post later today ...probably best if it isn't the one that has grabbed osse until the location is decided?

And where Erenor goes Angore is bound to follow...

[Mithalwen]

Sorry missed full implications of Saureg's post for me... willpost tomorrow Ihope:)

[Mithalwen]

Stymied - I was planning a little troll fighting with Angore and Faerim but now I'm lumbered with all the refugees I can't .. vain heroics is actually Erenor's best hope :S

[Osse]

i Have prepared a little map to show what the corridors look like.

I have also put in the people, as far as i know where they are. Sorry, I couldn't work out where the Elves and Faerim were, but I'm sure someone will show me.

EDIT: someone tell me how to put images into posts and I'll have it up! :)

[Saurreg]

Get an image hosting account. Upload from yer hard drive and then linky with the image command.

[Osse]

Too much effot perhaps...

If you guys are really unsure and need a map, give me a PM and i'll email it to you or something.

[Garen LiLorian]

Well, I believe our two weeks without a post has passed. Does that mean we're officially dead? You know, more so then usual for the barrow wights we are.

[Mithalwen]

I am sorry I am just so confused that I cannot see a way through - and in tunnels you have limited options...however I turned down another invitation because of this - I don't like leaving things unfinished butI don't see a way ahead.. I just wanted ot go troll fighting but I don't know how I can ditch the Dunedain at this moment..... :S

[piosenniel]

Since Kransha has introduced the Dwarves at this point - what if someone simply writes a wrap up post for the confusing Troll episode (I have to admit I was lost reading where everyone was and what was happening.)

The Dwarves know the men and Elves are in danger from the Trolls. In the midst of battle, have the Dwarven contingent move in and assist to drive the trolls off. Everyone can then regather at the base camp. Use Kransha's dwarves as needed.

Does this sound doable?

~*~ Pio

[Osse]

It does.

Who wants to write it? I'd rather just write a supporting post... about Carthor fighting trolls.

[Mithalwen]

I'll have a shot if noone beats me to it... try to post something tomorrow pm (uk time) ... just off for a girly night out so anything sooner is unrealistic... :D

[piosenniel]

Mithalwen and ALL OTHERS still playing in the RPG -

Saurreg PM'd me about doing the wrap-up for the trolls and dwarves. Can you coordinate with him?

Once you all are done with this section of the action, it can be up for general review where you want the game to go next. The game owner has not checked into the game or discussion thread since the first of May, so it is up to the interested players where they want to take the game.

~*~ Pio

[Amanaduial the archer]

I'm sorry, I am still interested, of course - just totally mystified really. I was planning to follow up on Saurreg's post, but Saurreg had plans already, so I was just....really stuck. What with GCSE revision, I haven't had as much block time as I would like...

Sorry. I just wasn't sure how/where to proceed with Faerim. Saurreg, may I ask about your intentions for Belegorn? That would seem to be the best lead for Faerim at the moment - as I am rather confused, I think it would only muddy things further if I way to do a 'finishing up' post but, like Osse, I would quite like to put in a supporting post, but I'll wait for Mithalwen so we're all clear on where we stand.

Thanks :)

[piosenniel]

NOTE TO ALL

No need to apologise - the scenario did get rather murky. Saurreg has kindly agreed to do and Alexander vs. the Gordian knot and get the players out of the situation. There will be oportunity once he does this for all players to possibly take a last whack at the trolls with the aid of the Dwarves and then regroup.

From there, it is up to you players left in the game to decide where to go from there. It is your game now.

Mithalwen

Please check with Saurreg and coordinate with him if you want to be in on the structuring of that particular wrap up/getting the game over the hump post.

~*~ Pio

[Mithalwen]

No that is find -I'll leave him to it!!! :D

[Saurreg]

Dear all,

I will try my best to extract all players from the tunnels and have them gather at the surface of Middle-Earth again. Unfortunately, I am no Kransha and my ability to post great writings is absolutely no existent. I am but a sunspot in his brillance. Which is one reason why I'm extremely thankful for Osse's assistance in this.

Just a show of hands; anyone still interested in fighting a troll or two? If not I'll just bulldoze my way.

Please bear with yours truly for the next few days while i try to sort things out and post to the best of my ability. Please please give suggestions and comments if deemed appropriate.

Thanks. :)

[Mithalwen]

Dear all,

I will try my best to extract all players from the tunnels and have them gather at the surface of Middle-Earth again. Unfortunately, I am no Kransha and my ability to post great writings is absolutely no existent. I am but a sunspot in his brillance. Which is one reason why I'm extremely thankful for Osse's assistance in this.

Just a show of hands; anyone still interested in fighting a troll or two? If not I'll just bulldoze my way.

Please bear with yours truly for the next few days while i try to sort things out and post to the best of my ability. Please please give suggestions and comments if deemed appropriate.

Thanks. :)


Erenor would like a troll to fight :D.. I thought maybe exploit the explosion to go for general cofuion and therefor vagueness about location :D

[Garen LiLorian]

I think Angore probably wants to kill something. A troll would be good.

[Saurreg]

Just a query - how large are OUR trolls anyway?

The troll from the Moria literature was larger than your average man but not as colossal as THAT brute from the movies. The Olog-Hai from RoTK text dispatched its opponents by knocking them flat before going for the throat; that did imply that they weren't giants.

I'm thinking around seven to nine feet tall, powerfully built and scale clad.

[Osse]

9 feet tall and well built sound good to me... not 20 foot like in the films... though they did look awesome.

It would still be quite an achievement for one man/elf/dwarf to take down such a beast.

[Saurreg]

My next post will be absolutely dwarvish. :D

Before that is anyone interested in posting something before the big fight under the Blue Mountains?

Novnarwen - I have read your PM and I think my post will preceed yours but don't worry, in that post the dwarves will not be at the scene of the battle yet. So feel free to plan your ideas if you need to. Cheers.

[Osse]

Post in the works for the situation. Saurreg and myself have discussed how we are going to go about sorting out the foray, hopefully opening the way for the rest of you. :D

[piosenniel]

Thanks for pitching in, everyone! Good to see this game moving along.

~*~ Pio

[Saurreg]

Hi all,

1. Novnarwen will have a post up soon.

2. The fiery barrier is of course no more.

3. Dwarves will be on the way.

P.S: Amanaduial - I hope you got my PM.

[Saurreg]

First dwarven post in.


.................................................. .................................................. .......
.........spider tunnel..........................................|. ...................................
................|................................. ..................|............................... .......
................|................................. ..................|............................... ........
....D......... |................................................. ..|.E......F.......................... G
==*====================================*===*====== ========*==
.....|............................................ ......................................|........... ........
.....|............................................ ......................................|........... ........
......\___________________________________________ ______ _/...................
..................Carthor's mistake tunnel............................................ .........

Time for an update:

1. Erenor, Faerim, Angore and the other elves and refugees are around D or even further to the left because Belegorn had ordered them to retreat

2. Belegorn is now at E, just outside his tunnel and racing towards F.

3. F is where Cathor and company are at the moment. The trolls are there also.

4. G is where the dwarves would most probably come in - from another tunnel further to the right (will not come into use in this RPG).

Hope this clears things up.

P.S: I have put up my MSN and AIM contact. Send a msg to me if u r unsure of anything or have suggestions to keep the RPG going. Cuz I'm all out of ideas at the moment.

[Mithalwen]

Just to say I will edit anything that spoils the master plan ...just wanted to get things moving but tried to keep things as open as possible..
Erenor's chanting would not be enough to stop the trolls - Gandalf she ain't but it might bewilder them a little while the cavalry sorry the dwarves arrive....

[Mithalwen]

Don't want to be picky but Erenor is not screeching but chanting - more a resonant humming effect than a wail :)

[Saurreg]

Can we all end the tunnel fight by this Sunday? Can all posts pertaining to current episode be in by then?

Time to move along, we're lagging again.

[Amanaduial the archer]

Sorry, sorry...*grovelgrovelgrovel*...I'm in exams at the moment - revision for GCSE chemistry has kinda kept me in hiding recently, and from tomorrow onwards Physics, French and RS will be doing the same. But after Wednesday, I'll be free! Free! Freeee!!!

...ahem.

But yes. What I mean to say is, I'm very sorry for the stupidly delayed post - I will eventually start on it, but the whole GCSE national exams thing...they're kinda...big...*mumbles away to nothing* Anyway, I am very sorry about that, but I will attempt to produce a post soon. Thanks for your patience so far and...sorry...

[Saurreg]

Amanaduial - I would strongly recommend that you concentrate on your studies first.

My call for last posts in the current episode is meant for other players really.

[Osse]

save filled... will have another one soon. Dwarves need to come to our rescue.

[Saurreg]

Agreed. I'll have them in by tomorrow if no one else posts.

[Nilpaurion Felagund]

Sorry if my post-vacation catch-up took so long.

But now I'm back.

And we care how . . . ?

Hush, Adam. You always get me into trouble.

[Garen LiLorian]

I'd like to add my voice to the general clamoring of apologies. But now the last of my school requirements are done with, so I'm here now. Really, I am.

So, before I post, I have a quick question. Erenor just called Angore's birth name, which would probably scare him a lot, and Betheril's save says 'chatting with Angore.' I'd like to respond to both of these things, and still get to the tunnel in time to be fighting, so is there any chance Nilp's -and my- save could be moved back a few posts? Say, right after Mith's post giving Angore his choice?

[piosenniel]

Garen

No need to put a SAVE prior to something already posted. Just write a post, leave it on the discussion thread, and tell me what post (by number) it's supposed to follow or proceed. I'll insert it with your name into that post box.

----------------------

Nilpaurion

Please do the same if needed.

~*~ Pio

[Nilpaurion Felagund]

I PLACED YOUR POST IN YOUR SAVE - SEE GAREN'S REQUEST BELOW ~*~ PIO

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

So, should I delete my save?

In that case . . . Garen, here's what I'm supposed to post in my save. Please tell me if I need to change some things in it.

~*~

Erenor rushed off to fight the trolls, leaving Bethiril lost in thought. “I am no longer Emissary, for the Kingdom as we know it is no more.” The older Noldo remembered saying such words to her younger colleague not long ago, to which she added the hope of not seeing her purpose fall to meaninglessness.

But the North Kingdom as it had been is no more. Even if the people that once had inhabited its land . . . No. Forget the distant future. This remnant of Arnor left to your care must survive. She left her contemplation to look around her, to remember the faces of the persons that had been entrusted to her . . .

Angóre, she immediately discerned, is troubled in mind. Bethiril queried him in his thoughts. He wants to go after the monsters that scarred his life, and after the person he had protected for so long.

“You may go,” she said.

“But you . . . and them . . .”

“We’ll be fine. Now go.”

“I may not leave you unarmed,” he said as he withdrew a sheathed dagger from his thigh. “Take this.”

Bethiril stared at the presented arms. She no longer shuddered at the sight of it, yet . . . Dare I take it? Go against everything I believe in? Perhaps wearing the weapon would not be so evil . . . Yet should the need arise, will I use it for its ghastly purpose? Will I take I life? Could I do such a thing and not break myself?

Angóre sensed the conflict within her. “Milady, although I entrust to you the life of these Edain, I would not trust you with my blade.” She saw the beginnings of a smile in his face, suppressed quickly as he pointed to a Man behind Bethiril, a former member of the Rearguard of Arnor now bandaged and in crutches. “Take this dagger, soldier. You are now in charge of protecting them.” He then saluted stiffly in the manner of the fighting men of Arnor, and the soldier, with as much formality as he could muster, returned it. The Elf turned back to Bethiril and bowed. “Thank you, milady. May the Valar protect you,” he said before running off to follow Erenor. Bethiril’s eyes trailed him for a while, then she remembered her charge. It may not bring with it the hope of ending Angmar's reign, but . . .

Perhaps it will.

“Let us go,” she said.

~*~

Pio, will you please place this after Mithalwen's post #157? Thanks! :)

[Garen LiLorian]

That's be fine, Nilp. I'll just take it from there, shall I?



Actually, you know what? I think both Nilp's and my posts can go right where our saves are. Eheheh. Nevermind, Pio. Thanks anyway.

[piosenniel]

Nilp

I placed your post into your SAVE as requested by Garen.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Everyone

Kudos to you all for bringing this game back to life! Well done! :cool: :D

Once the section with the Trolls is finished, please discuss/make plans for where you want to go next with the game. It’s now in your capable hands.

Please note I’ve gone through and removed icons from the game posts. Let’s let your posts stand on the merit of their writing and not on their decoration. Leave the icons for the discussion thread and the Inn. Please also remember to remove your signatures from game posts.

Looking forward to seeing where your collective creative energies take the storyline.

~*~ Pio

[piosenniel]

Saurreg

Do you still need your "Save - Belegorn & the dwarves" in post space #163 on the game?

If not, can you please delete it.

Thanks!

~*~ Pio

[Saurreg]

Yes piosenniel. In fact I am just about to fill it. :)

Cheers

[Saurreg]

I have posted. Hopefully this would be the last we see of dwarves and trolls. I've had enough of them, thank you. :D

Would anyone like to conclude this episode with a post? The post should contain a brief aftermath of the battle, the discovery of maps underneath dwarven king's crown and the return to the upside.

If not I will conclude in a few hours time.

[piosenniel]

Everyone who's still playing in the game:

The Troll section will be finished in say a post or so.

How would you like the game to proceed? Do you want to do wrap up posts and have the game end here?

Or would you like to move on toward the Ice Bay?

Or . . .?

The game is no longer dependent on Kransha's original plan.

What would you like to do?

Let me see some discussion on this.

~*~ Pio

[Arry]

I was slotted to do a cameo as a wolf of the north who harasses the troops just prior to getting to the Ice Bay.

From what I've read of the game - the travelers may have been besieged enough. So -- how can I help out? Do you want me to bring in some other character to join the Elves and Men?

Do the Elves want to take the upper hand and splinter the group off and take them to safety in Mithlond? Or do you all want a last and glorious death scene on a sinking ship?

-- Arry

[Saurreg]

I'm in this RPG for the long term and I think Osse also. I would like it if we all contribute to keep the story flowing as best as we could until a satisfying ending can be achieved. But if majority interest has waned and everybody wants to pack up early - fine by me also.

[piosenniel]

How about a "specific" suggestion for where you'd like to see the storyline go next, after the Elves and Men have regrouped and are out of the mountain tunnels.

Anyone have a suggestion?

[Mithalwen]

Well I don't want to give up on it and leave Erenor and co in a tunnel forever.....

I while Erenor's intention was to attempt a break for Mithlond if a western exit was found, the troll and spider fighting episodes has bonded her more with at least the Dunedain she fought alongside and assuming she survives her current injuries, she may be less likely to take the " every man (elf) for himself approach given the chance. However she would not be keen on going north.

Just a factual question .... do we know how Arvedui's sons were alerted to their father's plight to send the ship north for the disastrous rescue? Is there scope for some of our people being the messengers or was it done by palantir? Feel quite sad about everyone meeting a chilly and damp end but I guess that was what we signed up for....

[Garen LiLorian]

That sounds good to me, Mithalwen. I'd posted something similar to that here (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showpost.php?p=372796&postcount=65)
which was responded to in here (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showpost.php?p=372811&postcount=67)
But that seems a little irrelevent now. However, I don't think it ever says when or where Arvedui's sons left their father, or indeed how they knew he was heading to the north. We could, at the end of this little cave adventure, talk to Arvedui's sons and convince them to go to the Havens with us. Anyone still desiring a watery grave could still go on the ship to pick up the king and company :p
Either way though is ok with me. We did indeed sign up for such an end, so marching into the snows is cool too.

[Mithalwen]

ah yes I do remember that now..... so long ago!!!

So who is still active? You, me, Saurreg, Osse Nilp is back and I guess Aman will be too soon enough..? Lal?

[Amanaduial the archer]

If no one minds terribly, Faerim had decided to drop in on the battle. Terribly sorry for any inconvenience and all that.

Watery death sounds good to me. Or not. Either way. ;) I like that idea, Garen, it opens up a different perspective; I don't have any particular preference, although I certainly don't want this game to end yet. I am alive, blessing or curse as that may appear. Does anyone know, out of interest, where Kransha has actually gone? Haven't seen Lalwende for a while though... Not sure exactly how we've managed to end up as a rather depleted group of six, but hey, that's not too few :)

[Mithalwen]

The fewness perhaps makes the splinter group option viable?

[Saurreg]

I have entered a TGV speed summary post of the battle and delivered the characters to safety above ground again. Go me!

Alright now, you may all start stoning me for the horrendous post. But at least we've left the tunnels behind us.

[piosenniel]

It’s my understanding that the two sons of Arvedui left their father during the capture of Fornost. They were driven westward over the Lune by the King of Angmar’s forces.

Arvedui and some of his guard went north to the North Downs just above Fornost and battled Angmar’s troops. Then Arvedui and his small remnant fled northwest & eventually hid in the old dwarven tunnels at the far northern end of the Blue Mountains.

Aranarth, Arvedui's son, and his group of Dunedain must have reached Cirdan about the same time his father reached the Snowmen. I don't think the king could have used the palantir to signal Cirdan and his sons, since it would require them to have a palantir. It seems to me that Aranarth knew his father was heading north and Cirdan sent a ship with a search party to Forochel to start the search there. It was sheer chance that the king and his men had kept a signal fire on the beach of the Ice Bay and that it was spotted by the sailors.


Appendix A; Return of the King:

In 1974 the power of Angmar arose again, and the Witch-king came down upon Arthedain before winter was ended. He captured Fornost, and drove most of the remaining Dunedain over the Lune; among them were the sons of the king. But King Arvedui held out upon the North Downs until the last, and then fled north with some of his guard; and they escaped by the swiftness of their horses.

For a while Arvedui hid in the tunnels of the old dwarven mines near the far end of the Mountains, but he was driven at last by hunger to seek the help of the Lossoth, the Snowmen of Forochel. Some of these he found in camp by the seashore; but they did not help the king willingly, for he had nothing to offer them, save a few jewels which they did not value; and they were afraid of the Witch-king . . . But partly out of pity for the gaunt king and his men, and partly ut of fear of their weapons, they gave them a little food and built for them snow-huts. There Arvedui was forced to wait, hoping for help from the south; for his horses had perished.

When Cirdan heard from Aranarth, Arvedui’s oldest son, that the king had fled north, he sent a ship to Forochel to seek for him. The winds were contrary and it took a number of days before Arvedui and his remnant were spotted – they had kept a small blaze going near the shore as a signal fire. It was March by then and the ice only beginning to thaw.

The Lossoth were amazed at the sight of the ship. They could not remember ever seeing one in the Bay. They took some of their sliding carts and went out onto the ice as far as they dared with the king and his men to meet the boats from the ship. The Lossoth smelled danger in the wind and counseled the king to let the boats bring them supplies of food and other things so that the king and his little band could wait until summer, when the power of the Witch-king wanes – “. . . but now his breath is deadly and his cold arm is long . . .” the chief of the Lossoth told the king.

Arvedui did not heed the counsel. In parting he gave the chief his ring (the Ring of Barahir), later ransomed by the Dunedain. The Dunedain got on the ship. A great storm of wind with blinding snow from the North came up before they could leave they bay. It drove the ship back onto the ice and piled up ice against it. In the night, the ice crushed the hull of the ship and the vessel foundered. All were lost including the 2 palantiri – the Stone of Annuminas and that of Amon Sul.

[Mithalwen]

Cheers Pio..

Saurreg's post does seem to have made the decision though.. surely a splinter group would have sought a western exit?

[Garen LiLorian]

I like the idea that the Dwarves led them to a western exit, far from the camp of the king. It provides a good chance for Belegorn and the guardsmen -assuming they want to rejoin the king- to have some conflict with the Elves, who'd probably see this as the perfect chance to break for civilization. And bringing the message to the sons of Arvedui at Mithlond seems as good a way to end the game as drowning in the bay. It seems like everyone who's weighed in has agreed with that sentiment, thus far at least. Any strong supporters of marching north?

[Osse]

A splinter would be interesting... perhaps the elves finally get fed up, and convince some of the dunedain to go with them to the Havens... Faerim especially would have to choose between what was wise and what was his duty. Obviously the more intelligent and self-preserving of the Dunedain would listen to the Elvish council... but the more pig-headed and dutiful would not. I like the way this is sounding.

[Mithalwen]

Ok I am going to make a post for Erenor that will rais ethis possibility. If we decide to go with the splinter group plan it will only effect about the last sentence of Saureg's otherwise effective "winding up post". If Erenor is again overruled at least it will tidy up her injuries. I have thought of various possible strategies to take some dunedain along if they don't want to desert... :D

We managed to regain a bit of momentum lets not lose it again.

I have ot say that I think the splinter group would be the easiest way for our reduced numbers to bring this to a satisfactory and dignified conclusion - and anyone who wants a watery death could join the search ship?


I have to say that while the Elves were overruled when they were in the minority, I think it is inconceivable (!) that they would not make a bid for the havens when they were in a small group. However Erenor would certainly not want Faerim (& co) to go to what she regards as certain death....

[Nilpaurion Felagund]

I would like Bethiril to be left with the King. I've always envisioned him dying sometime in this game. But she's still alive, so I guess this is the place and time to kill her.

[Mithalwen]

OOOh interesting..... sorry for delay -WW5 :o Sunday? Sorry

[Saurreg]

My last post can be changed. No pressure people. No pressure.

Let me suggest the following course to end this RPG:

1. The much reduced refugees (sans king and entourage) makes their way to the Elven havens.

2. They are attacked by some enemies - lotsa injuries and deaths.

3. The survivors make it to Mithlond.

Here is where I think ideas diverge. Some players want to drown in sea. I for one intend for Saurreg and some of his men to remain and form the nucleus of the embryonic Rangers of the north. There are players whom would obviously want to quit this game as soon as possible, which is sad but understandable. Let's have three "fall out" exits.

exit 1 = During the attack by the enemy on the snowfields.
exit 2 = At Mithlond
exit 3 = on the sinking ship

I propose to those whom want to leave ASAP to stay on for just alittle while and take the first exit. Players who have left without any instructions should have their characters destroyed there also. Exit 2 is meant for Saurreg (Belegorn) and the others who wish to remain in Arnor. Exit 3 would be used to tie up the game.

Comments?

[Mithalwen]

Personally for me it is not "an as soon as possible " thing... more that I want a good end rather than it to just die. The splinter group works better for my char.

[Osse]

Carthor's gonna stick this one out, as usual. Just depends on whether he's still got that special something with the sword...

[Saurreg]

So can we start the snowfield phase this week? Let's set a dateline; how about we close the phase by 17 Jul? That will be the end of next week.

[Amanaduial the archer]

Ah, Faerim'll stick with the elves, as per usual ;) A plea, Saurreg, O Most Mighty Organiser: could we maybe extend it a week longer than that? I will be away from the 13th to the 17th on a Halle (choir) residential course, off doing singing and working far to hard and singing and eating copious amounts of biscuits. And singing. So I'm reliably informed. *blinks* So yes, anyway, I will unfortunately be unable to play. However, I do want to see the end of this game, so could we possibly hang it on for another week and I'll play it to the end?

Hoping this is possible,
-Aman

[Saurreg]

Well, the dateline for the different phases hasn't been set yet so I you can do what you must but do check in from time to time. Mighty Organiser, hmm...

Mighty Rearranger? Ok, wishful thinking. :D

We are really going about without a concrete script. But right now we have got to get the RPG back in momentum again.

[Osse]

I will be away from internet for about three or four days, so please bear with me.

Regards,

Osse

[Saurreg]

No prob osse. Cya!

If anyone wants to post some descriptive ot P2P Role-play do it now. We'll be moving along shortly after my character's audience with the King.

[Amanaduial the archer]

Daftly long post duly made, O Mighty Saurreg. Beautiful posts by the way, I love your description of the snow and the stars...

Well, that's one character duly killed off - Osse, is my killing of Brander alright with you? It just seemed a perfect opening to get rid of one character, brutal as that definitely sounds...Mithalwen, I hope I have handled your character alright? :)

A current list of players is (correct me if I'm wrong):

Aman
Mithalwen
Saurreg
Nilpaurion
Osse
Garen
Arry - cameo


Alaklondwen has made her excuses on another thread for her withdrawal from the Downs (RL reasons) and I think we can safely assume Kransha has done a runner. Concerning other characters, I am going to PM Lalwende now: she is still an active user and I rather liked her character, so well, we may as well try to retrieve her. Similarly, CaptainofDespair and Nuranar will be PM'd. I'll be nice, don't worry, I'm not going to violently hastle anyone! Probably...:D

[CaptainofDespair]

I have responded to your PMs, Aman and Saurreg. However, I should note that they differ in a minute, and yet strangely important way.

I told Saurreg "no", and Aman "maybe". Just to clarify, since another round of PMs would be a wasteful task, I will post here.

It'll be a quicky, I promise...;)

As some of you may now know, I have returned from my hasty withdrawal, to partake in another game, as a cameo character. I guess that triggered the PMs. ;)

In any case, the cameo is due to my lack of time, due to my current state of affairs. And, the same shall apply to this, if I return. Thus, we get my confused responses. In order for me to participate, yet again, I will need some things from you folks who have time. I asked this Aman, but if any others would care to take this up, a PM with a quick summary* of the current state and progress of the game would suffice to reorient me. Then, and only then, may I reconsider.

*The summary may consist of as few lines as possible, as long as it gives me the gist of the game in its currect situation.

-CoD

[Arry]

*slavering

yummmmm . . . tasty two-leggeds . . . toothsome treats . . . & horses . . .

[Mithalwen]

Absolutely beautifully :D

I have (finally) filled my save, appropriately I hope, if not,will tinker also a response to Faerim which I hope is satisfactory.

[Saurreg]

This is mid week. Can we start the trek by the weekend?

There is also the unresolved matter on characters of players who are no longer actively participating...

[Osse]

I'm back and getting up to date...

[Osse]

I have something in the works for Carthor... but I need Saurreg to agree to change his last post just a tiny bit.

Carthor will accompany the King in his travel to the North, as the new captain of his bodyguard... which means it'll be cold.

;)


Osse

[piosenniel]

Let's get those SAVEs filled in please.

NIlpaurion - please clear your PM's.

~*~ Pio, Game Moderator

[Osse]

My post is filled, but wont' quite fit perfectly unless Belegorn hears of Carthor's appointment to the King's party in the royal tent.

I guess, with Carthor off on his own, and messed up, this means that I will be posting quite seperate from the rest of the group... up in the Ice floes etc.

[CaptainofDespair]

I have put up a save. Hopefully, I will fill it tonight, but more likely tomorrow, hence the message that accompanies the save. :D

Anyhow, just to run this by everyone, I will post what I think I will be posting about. Should anything be incorrect, or something, I can change it before I type up the post. I will be backtracking somewhat, both to catch my character up, and myself. ;)

-Mitharan's refusal to join the group in the Blue Mountains.
-Yet another refusal to serve the King, having grown weary of 'stuff' (vague, yes, but purposeful).
-A lonesome march, upon which he collapses, and is found on the 'trek' to Mithlond/Death/Havens.
-More 'stuff' about the trek.

If there is anything I should add/change prior to posting, that would be valuable to my post, please tell me. :)

It has been way too long...

[Arry]

Wolf, here . . . at your service . . .http://www.beerguide.ee/wolf.jpg

Who can my pack and I munch on? Who's fair game?


http://www.originalicons.com/images/icons/Animals/Wolves/1099854031_629890799.gif -- Arry

[Saurreg]

Osse - I have included a reference to Carthor in my post. But I think you would have to edit your post because Belegorn does not meet with carthor.

Arry - I should think you can kill off Alak's, Lal's and Nurunar's characters.

Sorry life's been a bit hectic, i'll try to post ASAP. Could someone move us on?

[Nuranar]

Yikes....

I am indeed here. Aman very kindly PM'd me last week, and RL has been out of control since then. I've just now finished catching up on both game and discussion.

I sha'n't insult the collective intelligence with excuses. Suffice it to say that it seems my subscribed thread notifications disappeared en route. I still don't know what happened...

Just a quick note right now, since I'm still processing what has happened and is being planned, besides sorting out all the emotions of the characters still on board. Osse, would you explain why you had Lissi pull away from Carthor when he wanted to comfort her? I can come up with something, but I'd like to know what you were thinking before I try.

And, uh, I'd really, on the whole, rather not be wolf-bait. I'm dedicated to finishing the game, whether my character dies or not... but since I just finished all the effort of catching up, I'd like to make a little more of a contribution, dontcha know. I take it there will be some survivors who make it to Mithlond? Although Lissi, as the mother of a hero, is in an archetypically dangerous position. ;)

Many thanks,
Nuranar

[CaptainofDespair]

My save has been filled. I've left it up to the survivors to find poor Mitharan, resting in the snow. ;)

If anything needs to be fixed, do tell.

~CoD~

[Arry]

The wolves are on their way to spying out their next meal.

On their way, they've decided to pass on the bedraggled figure of Mitharan lying in the snow.

:eek:

[Osse]

Nuranar: Check your PM's :)
Saurreg: I figured, with Belegorn looking for Carthor anyways and only being interrupted by his summons to the King's tent, upon hearing of Carthor's appointment as the new leader of the King's Guard, he'd rush off and try to disuade him from leaving... sorry but I sort of used Belegorn a lot in my post, I could change it to another non PC soldier or someone, but I don't think it would have the effect...

What would you like me to do, if you want i can just change the whole thing.

[Amanaduial the archer]

No-no-no-no...by all means take Alak's character, she isn't coming back for RL reasons, but just hold back on devouring Lal's character yet - she was one of the three who I PM'd, and said she would consider coming back. Admittedly, that was about ten days ago, but there is hope from that front. So just...hang on! :) I shall send a quick prompt...

Nuranar! Glad to see you back - thank you :)
lthough Lissi, as the mother of a hero, is in an archetypically dangerous position Oo-er?

[Nuranar]

Thanks, Osse - I'll reply shortly.


lthough Lissi, as the mother of a hero, is in an archetypically dangerous position

Oo-er?

I thought that would get a rise from you. ;) I'm refering to the (often untimely) death of the protagonist's mother prior to many stories. For example, Frodo and Harry Potter. There was a very interesting discussion about it a couple years ago.

At this point I have only vague ideas about a post. Should I try to provide a hook-up for Lal? Please let me know if you get a response from her, Aman. Thank you!

[Amanaduial the archer]

An interesting idea indeed, dearest mother-mine, an interesting idea indeed...*evil* Lal said that she wasn't sure how to get back into the game, hence her uncertainty of how to return, so if you could provide a 'hook-up' Nuranar, that would be great :) - and if you wanted to PM her and just make her aware of what you had done if you decide to do so... And even if Lal chooses not to return, the entrance can just be altered and her absence can be made more permanent.

Good lord, sorry, didn't mean to sound quite so threatening there...;)

[Nuranar]

I think you're better with the idea-hatching, m'dear, so if you have some evil ideas for my poor character, PM me. *sigh* It's a shame, I'm really rather fond of her now...

I'll plan on incorporating Renedwen somehow, then. What about the little people - her son and Gilly? I hate to kill people off, and it certainly wouldn't do Renedwen's mental state any good. But realistically, babies and small children in battle are an insurer's nightmare! If Brander went west, why not one (or both!) of them?

And yes, whatever she chooses - and delaying to choose = no return - we can work her character in or out. I've carried her a little bit, and thought about her a lot, so I think I could manage that best of anyone.

[Arry]

. . . sigh . . . no one wants to die . . .

Well, then, the poor wolfies will simply drag down and haul off some anonymous two leggeds and you can name them or not.

-- Arry ;)

[Mithalwen]

There is Alak still if Elves aren't too stringy to appeal to wolves..

[Lalwendë]

Aman has PM'd me to see if I still want to be involved - and if you'll still have me, then yes I would like to be. Long as you don't all throw things at me... oh go on then, you can chuck some rotten fruit. :p :o

I'm just catching up with what's happening, but I reckon it might be feasible that my character has done little so far, with those kids to look after. I might have her be attacked, which would be a good way to get her into the game again, I'm afraid she was a little lost when it came to strategies. :( I'd especially like to write in a good death scene if that's the way it all ends up...

[Amanaduial the archer]

*hurls rotten tomatoes and boos appreciatively from the back of the auditorium* Welcome back, Lal :)

Now we could always kill Renedwen's son and have Gilly survive...wow, survey that twist of bitter fate...*evil* But otherwise, besides Alak's character, there are always various minor characters who have been merely mentioned throughout - soldiers and the like, carry-alongs whose deaths would seem a little less unimportant than 'anonymous two-leggeds', whilst at the same time really making very little difference. For example Nevhith, a fourteen year old soldier introduced by Saurreg, although maybe he could be kept for comedy value; Serrane, an older, experienced soldier and colleague and friend of Carthor who I briefly introduced in post #166 - I had a few vague plans for him, but nothing I'm too attached to. *shrugs* Just a thought...

[Mithalwen]

Nilp, Has Bethiril gone with the king? Will leave my post ambiguous....

[Nuranar]

I've got some fermenting pears on the ground beneath our trees outside... But as much fun as it would be to chunk them at you, Lal, I'd rather stalk the thievin' squirrels with an airsoft pistol. And really, who am I to throw stones? :D

Don't mean to mimic bloodthirsty Aman but I'm all in favor of losing one or both of the kids. They're a lot of excess baggage for Renedwen to tote around. Seriously, with children you're saddled with carry-along characters that you can't easily drop by the way. It might be easier to write if you only had your character to deal with.

Aman does make a good point about the other characters who've been created. Even if Arry's beasts don't get one of the [currently] played characters, we don't have to invent new ones. To be extra evil... wouldn't the nasty wolves like something young and tender?

Lal, I'm not going to be able to post today, although tomorrow's likely. my character has done little so far, with those kids to look after. I might have her be attacked,
Why don't you just decide what you want to do with the kids and write it up? They could've been killed (or lost) in the tunnels, or something could happen with the wolves (per Arry's OK, I guess). Work Lissi in if you want to.

Aman, I don't think Faerim or Lissi have interacted in quite a while. Any thoughts on how he's feeling toward her, or even if he's thought of her at all? He seems pretty preoccupied with Elves at present.

Just mi dos pesetas, take it or leave it.

[Nilpaurion Felagund]

Bethiril's going with you, then she's going with the ships.

Sorry about leaving that ambigious . . .

[Nuranar]

I've posted, although I'm afraid it's not much. Either Lal or Aman can link up with the end of it; I'd love to interact with either of you. I need to sign off and I couldn't think of a better way to end it.

[Amanaduial the archer]

Nuranar, I've replied to your link - I hope this is alright :)

[Nuranar]

Just perfect, m'dear. I'm glad you responded... I was beginning to fear I had killed both threads at one fell swoop!

[Amanaduial the archer]

Not at all - I've been away is all (in London in the BBC Proms, doncha know! ;)), or I would have replied earlier :)

[Lalwendë]

I'm hoping to get something up today if possible. I'm planning on a simple post describing the effects of the hunger, cold, hardship etc. Also it will just update on my character a bit, and what has happened to the boys. The desperate situation should have given her a kick up the whatsit in any case. It will leave possibilities open for anyone who wants to involve my character in any future nastiness, I hope... ;)

I presume hunger is a rather big issue right now? And just to clarify, where are we heading off to next (not so important for this post, but I need to be sure for future ones), and when? I like the ominous approach of the wolves :eek: And Lissi being left alone might give an opportunity for some new interactions too. I can also see Faerim more than proving his mettle now he is one of the few soldiers left (not that he hasn't already, give him a medal, poor lad!).

[Saurreg]

I intend to move the story along tomorrow if that's fine with everyone. Is it?

[Amanaduial the archer]

Saurreg - a reminder of what I said earlier: I will be away from the 31st (tomorrow) until the 7th August. Sorry....

[piosenniel]

Please remember to remove signatures from ALL posts to the game thread.

Also, don't place icons, smileys, or 'reasons for editing' on the game thread. Save all those for the Discussion Thread

Thanks!

~*~ Pio, game mod

[Arry]

Once the company moves away from the encampment, the wolves will start following and begin to pick off the strays . . . :eek:

-- Arry

[piosenniel]

17. Please note: A game which hasn't been posted on in 2 weeks signifies a lack of interest in the game, and the Moderator may choose to close the game and remove it. -- Shire Rules: The Red Book of Westmarch

It's been two weeks since anyone has posted to the game thread. And nearly three since there's been a post to the Discussion Thread.

Would someone like to do a wrap-up post, brief or long, to more-or-less bring the game to a close?

If so, let me know.

~*~ Pio, game moderator

[Mithalwen]

Oh dear :( well I will if noone else cares.... if anyone wants to PM me with how they want their chars to end up .. that would be great ............

[Amanaduial the archer]

Dammit dammit dammit... I'm going away for a week tomorrow, but I would really like to have some input in this...:(

Has everyone lost interest? If so, I would quite like to do a finishing post - if no one else would mind waiting - or Mithalwen can, as she has volunteered; I would like to add a bit of my own on the end though. If no one wants to continue, we could just leave the story on a sort of edge - a sort of looking forward to the future for what they have, bleak though it (undeniably) is...

[Mithalwen]

Dammit dammit dammit... I'm going away for a week tomorrow, but I would really like to have some input in this...:(

Has everyone lost interest? If so, I would quite like to do a finishing post - if no one else would mind waiting - or Mithalwen can, as she has volunteered; I would like to add a bit of my own on the end though. If no one wants to continue, we could just leave the story on a sort of edge - a sort of looking forward to the future for what they have, bleak though it (undeniably) is...

That is fine by me.... I am sorry this has ahppened but I suppose there is a limit to how often we can attempt to revive it and now Pio has given a DNR...... I just want to give it some dignity.... it lost momentum but there was some fine (if sporadic) posting

[CaptainofDespair]

Well, if you'll be doing a wrap-up post, I suppose I'd like my character to die. It doesn't matter how, just take away his dignity. ;)

T'is very lamentable that the game lost its luster. Resurrection can occur only so many times before the necromancer is left frail and weak...

[piosenniel]

Today is August 20th -- whoever is going to write the wrap-up post, please get it onto the Discussion Thread by September 4th. That's 2 weeks from today. I'll transfer it to the RPG Thread.

I'll be sending the game to Elvenhome at that time.

~*~ Pio, Game Moderator

[Osse]

I always planned to post one more time before the end of the game, as an eye witness aboard the King's ship as it's lost in the ice sea. It'd be a longer post, sort of summarising from Carthor's eyes the choice to board the ship and the Ice Men's warnings etc.

I think it'd be a nice wrap up post, and I am happy to write it.

Regards,

Osse

[Mithalwen]

In that case how about if Aman and I confer to get our party to Mithlond and Osse tidies up at the other end?

[Garen LiLorian]

:o I fear I may have single-handedly brought this game to a premature end... It looks as though the next post ought to be mine, and there's still so many people who seem to still want to play.

As for my two week + absence... I can only apologize profusely. I've moved twice, changed schools, and witnessed the passing of not one, but two grandparents. So I've been minorly busy. However, with school starting monday (And out of grandparents...) I am firmly ensconced in my small apartment and cannot forsee any more emergencies. (Of course, if you could forsee them, they wouldn't be emergencies.)

Anyway, I'm sorry to see this game go... and doubly sorry that it was my oft-delayed post that delivered the death blow. Aman and Mith -and Osse as well- are more then capable of finishing matters, and so, if we cannot resurrect this game once more, I'm happy to hand Angore over to them.

Many apologies again.

[Mithalwen]

Not your fault.... anyone else could have posted... infact I was expecting wolves to attack...... I shouldn't have ended my post thus.. but don't blame yourself please - the circumstances would have excused anything regardless if there was anything to excuse.. which I don't think there was.

Clearly you have had a difficult time and I send my condolences for your bereavement.

[Nuranar]

Now I'm really mad. This is the second time - and on this game, no less - that my subscription notification hasn't worked. I've been checking my control panel regularly, although I've been in the same crazy boat as Garen (minus actually losing grandparents. :( ) And apparently somewhere along the line something unsubscribed me from this thread... Grr!

I'd love it for Mith and Aman to take care of our group. Lissi is at your disposal - just if she dies, let her go down fighting, 'k? She's made of stuff too stern to die of grief or pine away.

So sorry, all, for my lack of commitment. It's pretty tough all around when the game owner leaves!

[Mithalwen]

Well my own vague thoughts were to let the die-hards who have kept up most of the way, (Erenor, Angore,Bethiril, Faerim, Belegorn, Lissi, Renedwen & children) to make it through to Mithlond even as sole survivors..... I was not anticipating a big group to make it other wise it would be too much of a digression from the history. But even in carnage a few people can slip through the net. Bethiril I think intended to go on the ill-fated rescue ship so perhaps Osse can pick that up in his final post. If anyone else in the Mithlond party wants a watery death say the word. Otherwise I imagine the remaining Dunedain would end up eventually as part of the original Rangers of the North. I hope it wouldn't be too cheesy to have a slightly upbeat ending for a few alongside the bleak one for the others.

Of course if anyone would rather die then just let me know. But I wasn't going to leave Erenor in the caves for ever and I don't want to leave her in a snowfield either (even in a tent with Angore! ;) )

[Arry]

The wolves did not attack because no one has moved the group going to Mithlond out of the little encampment they are in. The wolf pack was just going to pick off a few stragglers.

Now that last posts are called for, why don't I just remove those wolf posts (they will now be extraneous, since we are not playing that scenario out).

I'll do that now.

-- Arry

[piosenniel]

In that case how about if Aman and I confer to get our party to Mithlond and Osse tidies up at the other end?

That sounds like an excellent plan.

Please get your posts on board to this thread by Midnight, September 4th, U.S. Pacific Time. I'll place them on the Game thread and then transfer the game to Elvenhome.

Arry - I've removed your 'wolf' posts as requested.

Thanks!

~*~ Pio

[Mithalwen]

I have some time off later this week, so I should have time to get a fitting send off arranged in time for Aman to add to at the weekend and mesh in with Osse's part at the end..

[Lalwendë]

Just as I'd started again and got some ideas... :( There have been some fantastic pieces of writing in this RPG (the high standard set was quite scary). Still, I can't honestly say that I'd been fully committed during the early part of the summer and must have contributed to the downfall...

Mithalwen - I'm happy for you to write what you like with my characters if you are making the effort to do this work. I'm presuming just a few will survive and pass on the tale for the future - maybe that sword my character was carrying will end up in some strange place somewhere down the line, and my character will learn to live as ordinary people do. If you want me to do anything on her to help out, then let me know Or else I'll not interfere. ;)

[Mithalwen]

No - suggestions would be good.... Garen and I have sorted out the fate of Angore and Erenor ;) and as I said Renedwen and the children are on my survival list.. the sword thing has possibilities I am sure. The more ideas the better because I am prepared to do a long post and it will mean I can do more with E&A if I can balance it with the others stories.

[piosenniel]

Just a reminder - The RPG is going to Elvenhome in 1 week.

[Mithalwen]

Just a reminder - The RPG is going to Elvenhome in 1 week.
I am working on the valedictory post even now......

[piosenniel]

Osse

Please check your PM's.

~*~ Pio

[Osse]

Thanks Pio... exams are over and I am busy writing the post. I will have it on here ASAP.


Regards,

Osse

[Mithalwen]

Sorry this is so late but RL and the shenanigans of lockout and Troll conspired. There is a little more to come tomorrow - really have to go now - but I will finish tomorrow I promise ( Soppy bit of Erenor and Angore and then a scene of the Rescue ship being sent off with survivors watching. Then a little epilogue of the survivor's futures) and maybe in the circs Pio will give us a day or so of grace so that Aman and Osse can add their bits and anyone to object about their handling! Sorry it is so much from Erenor's viewpoint but it is the one I know best..!

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Mithalwen's post


Angore thought and gave a characteristically laconic response. "Yes but not a good one. We have less than two weeks rations remaining and short rations at that - and I would expect the journey to take mortals at least that time on foot in fair weather". And and everyone is already hungry thought Erenor, and tired and so cold.

Nevertheless the party trudged on day after day. They were grateful for the light of the sun each morning even though it gave no light. The pitiful remnant of the proud citizenry of Fornost cooperated with each other but spoke little, even though their situation eqaulised all, regardless of race or rank. They huddled in to as few a number of tents as would house them at night to save exertion both of carrying them and setting them up.

Erenor had often found snow beautiful when seen from her window at Rivendell - it was far less appealing now although there were moments when a shaft of light created such sparkling loveliness that she could forget their plight for a moment.

The ice had more sinister creations. They found the body of the missing councillor Mitharan caught like a bird in a thicket at the base of a steep slope. He was like a twisted star glittering with ice - a strange mockery of a jewel. Though they did their best to dispose his body in a more seemly fashion it bore little relation to a decent funeral.

Erenor saw little of her previous companions. The tension had eased with Angore, there was a tacit understanding to concentrate on getting to safety. He was still her guard but as the strongest and most experienced in the ways of the wild among them, his skills learnt through the long centuries of errantry were vital to all. He and the hardened soldier, Belegorn, were in close counsel with the prince Aranarth as to their path and actions, but at other times he served as the rearguard of the group and though his mind was yet closed to her she was aware of his gaze resting on her as her scanned the horizons and it comforted her.

Bethiril spoke seldom. She was absorbed in her own thoughts and whatever strange destiny she had fortold for herself. Erenor had never enjoyed the best relationship with her - she had not disliked her but she had failed to understand her. Now her viewpoint had shifted but it seemed too late. Bethiril had taken on her remoteness as Erenor had developed Bethiril's abhorrance of violence.

Faerim... Faerim her faithful hound, her kindred spirit and whose devotion had inspired so much amusement was also preoccupied. His youth gave him strength and he was of the few that had the energy to hunt for wood or food. Other time he spent mainly with his mother. Lissi had reserves of spirit few could equal but death had claimed one son and in the time of that bereavement she had been forsaken by her husband in the name of duty. At least in Faerim she had a son to be proud of. Although when the opportunity for adventure arose, he had been eager to take it, Erenor knew his first priority had ever been his family.

Then there was that other protege of Rosgollo - the child Gilly. Despite the conditions the child seemed cheerful and remarkably healthy. Perhaps his name had won him the protection of the lady Elbereth. Now they were largely horseless - the poor beasts perished gradually through starvation and accident in the ice and snow - Erenor took it upon herself to carry the child when his short but sturdy legs could not cope with the snow. Renedwen was already burdened with her own infant son, Derendur. She had seemed suspicious at first of the elf lady, who for so long had seemed to place herself above such mundane domestic concerns as the care of small children, thinking perhaps Erenor sought to reclaim the child rescued by her own kind. It had not helped that Erenor had soon asked if she would keep the child when they reached safety. Renedwen who was at least in terms of the Dunedain as noble as Erenor was in those of the Noldor could be just as haughty if she chose, had responded that her son had lost a father and she would not separate him from the brother he had found. Misunderstandings resolved, and understanding if not yet friendship developed between the two ladies who carried swords as well as children.

Nevertheless it was Gilly the blessed and beloved who was Erenor's bane. Little used to children of any kind she did not watch him as constantly as mother does by instinct, and the little boy toddled unheeded to the brink of a icy stream deep from meltwater that flowed down from the mountains this far south. Alerted the elf had leapt and while she was able to save the child from the fall she had taken it herself. Although uninjured she was soaked in the stream's frigid water.

Over two weeks into their journey, they had come almost to the end of their supplies, eked out by cutting quantities and supplemented with what little they could scavenge (enough for a lone traveller but not a party of their size), but more deadly to the elf now than starvation was the cold.

Angore had rushed to his mistress's side cursing himself that again she had come to harm when he had been away ignoring the fact that there was little he could have done. He wrapped his cloak about them both and held her tight as if by so doing he could hold warmth and life in her frozen body. Only now as she was dying did he have the same realisation that she had undergone weeks before. "Don't leave me, my lady" he murmured, her hair damp against his face. She had not the strength to speak bud rested her head against his chest. His reserve was broken at last and for the first time he opened his mind to her hoping to keep her attention, and awake.

Erenor was aware of little the wind blowing outside the tent and the comforting sound of Angore's heartbeat. She was beyond cold now and lying safe in her beloved's arms it would be so easy to drift into sleep. She would just close her eyes a little while, just rest til the storm abate and they could go on... her mind filled with images Angore, trolls, a woman like enough to be his close kindred. Then the tent opened and she saw Gaeredhel - or was it Rosgollo enter? I must be dead she thought as she yielded to sleep....


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Mithalwen's post


White, everything was white. This was not how she had imagined Mandos. White but not cold. So she had not returned to the snow. She raised her head slightly, it was a ceiling. And she was lying in a bed. Then an elvish voice. "Ah Lady Erenor, you are back with us!" . The voice belonged to a grey clad elf-woman.

"Where am I ? " -
"In the Houses of Healing at Mithlond of course, do you not remember?"

Gradually memory came back. If had not been one of the slain guards of course who had entered the tent but an elf ranger of Mithlond in the same uniform. Cirdan alerted by Arvedui's hawks had sent out search parties. The fire they had risked in an attept to save Erenor had speeded rescue for all. The rangers had carried phials of precious miruvor which had the power to restore even those on the point of death, and this had bought her time . The rangers had horses and had rushed her to the Havens. Erenor blushed at the memory - she who had thought herself among the strongest had been the weakest at the end.

The healer wrapped a mantle about Erenor's shoulders pressed a cup of broth into her hands and made her drink it before she would answer more questions. "The others? Are they safe? Are they here?"

"They are safe, but not all are here yet - the last should arrive later today. You have been asleep for two nights and a day since you were brought in. Your man- at- arms arrived in the middle of last night and wanted to see you there and then, if you please! Dressed in his filthy rags .. of course I would not hear of it. Told him to come back this morning and be clean!"

"Angore, was here and you sent him away?!". Erenor quelled her ire, the woman did not know and losing her temper would make more delay - "Please send for him..." She needed no messenger however since when she sought his mind with hers, she was answered. Nevertheless the minutes seemes like hours until the door burst open. Angore was dressed in new clothes, his habitual grey and black relieved by a shirt of blue that matched his eyes, but his face had the same anxious look it had worn when he had entrusted Erenor to the Mithlond elves. He knelt by her bed and took both hands in his . "My lady?" he asked. "Always, my lord".

A little later when reality had intruded on their bliss, Erenor said "Perhaps I shall have to continue being an emissary - I will not be allowed a guard as a healer or gardener..."
"That won't be necessary I hope - though would you mind choosing gardening over healing? Healers seem rather bossy" he said looking in the direction the elf woman had departed when she realised that her presence was surplus to requirements.

"And I am not?" asked Erenor incredulous.

Angore answered by raising his eyebrows " I must be a soldier a little longer by necessity, but when we are safe back in Imladris, I too would take another path - or rather resume it".

Erenor cast back in her memory for some clue and failed " What path?".

"I realise I can honour my mother by fulfilling her wish as well as avenging her death. Before she died, I was training as a minstrel".

"A minstrel? You?". Erenor was amazed that one who had wasted so little breath on speech during the time she had known him could be a master of song.

"I was considered very talented actually" ... Angore replied affecting an injured expression.

Erenor could not but laugh "You had better find a lute or harp prove it to me then!"



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Mithalwen's post


A grey ship was sailing from the havens. Sent by Cirdan to the aid of the king at the behest of Aranarth. The prince had been discouraged from joining it - "Your people need you here", Cirdan had said but if he had some foresight he did not share it.

Bethiril had insisted on going despite Erenor's attempt to dissuade her. "You have found your fate and I wish you joy, but this is mine and I will follow it - Deliver the ring to Lord Elrond when you may".

There was nothing Erenor could say to change her mind and she was filled with regret and forboding. "I am sorry I never understood you" .

Bethiril had merely smiled that serene smile. "Namarie, Erenor...I thought you a woman unsentimental, but much has changed - perhaps when you too have taken ship we will meet, and in that realm of light and peace there will be no misunderstanding. But until then I think this is farewell. You will remain in Middle Earth till the time of our people here ends forever - but I am weary of it and even if this ship bears me back, I will take another." They had embraced, and Elrond's Emissary boarded to seek for the king.

Once the ship had cast off, she had left the quay to join other survivors on the sea wall. Bethiril's ring clinked slightly against her own silver betrothal band as she turned it in her hand. She stood next to Angore and he clasped her hand in his. Although stern of face as they watched the ship enter the firth and head for the sea it was clear to all the sorrows of many centuries had been lifted from them. Renedwen was there with the boys, as was Faerim with Lissi. Erenor could hardly bear to look at them; the contrast between their hope and her fear was so strong. And yet it was not only those who sought passage north, with winter barely starting to fade, who were in danger. Mithlond was safe and perhaps Imladris was still safe but little in between was safe from the shadow of the witch-king.


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-o-o-o- Epilogue -o-o-o-


Mithalwen's post

Months ago Angore had predicted that Faerim would "escape this foolish venture's doom" . This small group, all of whom had been touched in some way by the lad's kindness and courage would share his good fortune. These who survived the Witch-King's triumph at Fornost would survive his defeat.

Some weeks later, a ship was seen emerging from the dawn mist in the gulf of Lhun. First hopes were that it was the rescue ship returned, but it was a ship of Gondor and the first of many. So many that they filled the Harlond and Forlond and were a joy and wonder to the Elves and the remaining people of Arnor, those scattered groups who had one way or another evaded the servants of evil and found sanctuary at the Havens.

Earnur, heir of Gondor had brought a mighty army - both footsoldiers and horsemen tall and fair with fine horses form the vales of Anduin. Cirdan joined his forces to Earnur's and the host of the west marched to meet their foe, the Witch King who dwellt now in the Palace of Arvedui at Fornost.

The Host of the West descended upon him and had the mastery and though the fell lord fled towards his own realm at Angmar he was caught between the cavalry of Earnur and the force of Glorfindel from Rivendell. His forces but not the Witch-King himself were utterly destroyed.

Belegorn, Angore and Faerim fought in that battle and if Lissi's anguish was doubled as she waited for news of both husband and son, Erenor could at least understand it. They occupied themselves with care of the injured and waited for the return of those they loved. When all was done they found their way back to Imladris and there Angore and Erenor were wedded.

Belegorn, who had won renown in the victory to add to the courage and duty he had shown in the retreat from Fornost, became senior among the Rangers of the North as Aranarth established the new community of his people. Lissi bore the loss of her husband when the fate of the ship long supected was confirmed, with charactersitic courage. Faerim, her remaining son became a warrior with all the skill of his father but none of his flaws and managed to combine duty to his king with duty to his kindred.

If Renedwen had had no personal connection with the defeat of the witch-king she would have one with his ultimate downfall. Her line did not fail and in later generations those of her birth son Derendur and her adopted son Gilly would unite. The fine sword set with onyx which had been made for her husband became an heirloom of her house. Of such craftsmanship was it that it was a weapon to be reckoned with over a thousand years later when it was borne by one of her descendents at the battle of the Pelennor Fields. And when its owner, a member of the Grey Company who had ridden out of the north to the aid of Aragorn returned to tell his tale in the Hall of Fire, he found two elves who could tell him how his foremother had carried it from the destruction of the North Kingdom.


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FINIS

[piosenniel]

It's now just before midnight, September 2nd.

Midnight, September 5th, Monday (Pacific Time, U.S.) (3 days from now) will be the last day to get posts onto the Discussion Thread.

Thanks!

~*~ Pio

nb: PM notification sent to Osse, Amanduial the archer, Mithalwen

[Osse]

I can only apologise for the length of this insane post... but i wanted to do Carthor justice before i knocked him off. Sadly, it only references things from his view... and Arvedui's demise is only pointed at... maybe someone needs a wrap up, black and white, "everyone is here, and everyone else is there" post to wrap up and close the game... Pio? :D


Regards,
Osse

Okay, here goes, you guys might need to do it in a couple of sittings!

__________________________________________________ ________________________

1


Osse's post - Carthor


The old man reached a brown hand out from the rippled folds of fur. King Arvedui poured the contents of a ragged cloth pouch onto the man’s wrinkled palm. The old man’s round face peered at the glossy surface of the sapphire as he held it up to the light. Muttering something to the man standing by his side in his own tongue, he looked back at the men in front of him. He sniffed at the great stone, before thrusting it roughly back into the still outstretched hand of the king. He shook his tightly cloaked head.

“Ice men no want cold stone.” His deep, guttural voice was surprising in such a wizened frame.
“Ice men cannot eat cold stone.”

“And Dunedain cannot eat ice! Cannot you spare even a morsel, o’ Chief?” Replied Arvedui.

The journey had almost broken the king, and he could not keep the desperation from filling his eyes and his voice.

“If you cannot aid us Chief, if we cannot find sanctuary with the Men of the Snow, then we are lost. We shall go out into the ice to perish. I only pray the wind freezes our breath before starvation does.”

The king made to turn and depart, but with a single deft movement, the old ice-chief was standing, his broad brown hand spread gently over the ragged fabric of the king’s cloaked shoulder.

The old man’s glance darted from the king’s desperate grey eyes to his cold hand as it lay on his sword hilt.

He looked up.

“Tall men stay.” His voice, once as cold as the winds of his home, had warmed.
“We give you what little we can.”

The king stepped forward, with his hand outstretched in sign of the agreement. The Ice-chief hesitated, his black eyes examining the Dunedain’s poised hand for a brief moment, before reaching out and clasping it firmly. Carthor, standing behind the king, could see his whole body relax as a wave of relief rushed through it.

The chief’s warriors, all clad in their thick fur wrappings, of what animal Carthor could not guess in the ruddy fire light of the ice-house, stepped forward. Each bore a thick brown blanket, and draping them tightly over the white-cold frames of the Dunedain, they ushered them all into a warm alcove. Carthor sipped gratefully at the hot fish-broth one of them provided for him in a shallow wooden bowl. The steaming liquid coursed through his stomach, extinguishing the hollow pain that his weeks of hunger had brought him.

Carthor looked grimly around the alcove, his blue eyes landing heavily on the faces of his companions. Seven times he paused; seven times he looked into lost and wearied eyes. The seven men around him were all that remained of the king’s guard that had ridden out from the mountains.

DONE
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2

Osse's post - Carthor


For ten days they had headed northward, following the crisp bite of the wind. The snow had deepened under the hooves of their mounts with every stride they had taken. Their food bags began to empty, despite their best efforts to ensure their stores lasted. At nightfall on the tenth day, the first of the horses had perished. Slipping on a patch of unseen ice, the stout bay mare had lost her footing and come crashing down in a whirl of limbs. Her rider had fallen under her, his cold brown eyes staring up into Carthor’s own as he kneeled beside him. There had been no time to properly bury the young man. Instead, they had laid him out proudly by a deep snow drift, the tattered banner on his ash spear still bearing the device of the king fluttering in the bitter wind.

Carthor had shuddered to feel the weight of the horsemeat in his cloth bag. It was a poor way to repay such a fine beast for years of faithful service, a beast whose only mistake had been to blindly trust in the guidance of her master’s hand. Better to live with the guilt than to die without it. Death, even then, would have been a sweet relief to Carthor, son of Harathor. Honour drove him; as long as his king drew breath, so would he.

Within a week of the first, all twelve horses had fallen, their frozen corpses lying as grim reminders of the group’s passage. The Dunedain had continued on foot, trudging through the snow, which often rose deeper than the knees of their tallest man, sharing the lead in shifts. Two men walked in front and behind of Arvedui, their eyes guarding their lord’s back, guarding it from the despair they all felt. On the third day, the last of the horsemeat was eaten.

For six more days, the Men of the North trudged on through the thick snows, the snows that seemed to be forever clinging, like dead, cold hands at every limb and every cloak. The men were all soaked as the snow tunnelled in through their clothing; no cloak could halt its wandering fingers. Slowly, but surely, the men would fall to the back of the column, unable to hold onto the slow, plodding pace. Their footfalls would become clumsy and their strides shorter, as if invisible hands held them by the shoulders, slowly pulling them back. One by one, they fell down into the snow, unseen and unheeded by their comrades. For those who turned to give aid were soon consumed by the same deadly foe, the only aid they would give would be company with which to enjoy Eru’s Gift.

Then, on the ninth day since the last of the horses had perished, the seven survivors of the group of fifteen reached the cold, grey expanse of the icy sea. Great towers of white rose out of the water, their great bastions and towers mirrored below them. The men stood dumbfounded at the edge of the great water, watching the ice towers collide on the glassy surface, listening to the call of cracking ice, feeling the whip of the icy wind in their lank hair.

As they stood, the Forochel’s white splendour lying eerily around them, the Lossoth espied them, and walking on the surface of the ice on basket-shoes, they had led them to their camp.

DONE
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3

Osse's post - Carthor


Carthor’s musings were broken suddenly. The men around him were standing, being led out into the snow by their hosts. Slowly, Carthor stood and wrapping his fur blanket more tightly around his broad shoulders, he followed the backs of the men in front of him up the short ramp out of the low-slung ice-house. The hide door-flap slapped loudly against the roof, moved by the fierce wind, as he walked away. He followed the men in front of him through the small camp, shivering despite the weight of his warm shroud. The group halted outside another, slightly smaller, ice-house.

It was low and square, with piles of snow heaped up against its square walls in mounds. From outside, the house gave as little purchase possible for the grasping claws of the north wind to latch onto. The structure seemed more sharply shaped than the others he had noticed, as if it had been built but recently. As he stood by the entrance, two Lossoth emerged from the enclosed entrance; both bore flat, broad shovels carved of bone. One ushered the seven Dunedain, including King Arvedui, through the entrance. The square structure was covered in many animal furs and blankets, and a cheerful fire glinted from its centre, the smoke from which wound its way lazily out of a hidden chimney in the roof above. Several immense fish were hanging on a smoking rack from the roof above.

Curling up in a nook by the fire, Carthor fell into the abyss of the deepest of sleeps, only waking briefly to eat some smoked fish and wrap himself more tightly in the fronds of his fur shroud.

DONE
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4 (Posted with #3)

Osse's post - Carthor


Lissi turned slowly, the light, black fabric of her mantle sweeping across the dark flagstones of the floor, sending gusts of fine grey ash into the eddying breeze. She paced slowly across the cold stone of the floor, toward a long, polished oak table. Other figures stood solemnly around the great table, their faces shrouded by heavy hoods. Each of the tall silent figures wore a red or green tabard, embroidered with the devices of Arnor. Cold blue light streamed softy in through the blackened remains of the rafters above the group’s bowed heads. The entire room was filled with the light’s coldness, all the room except the length of the great oaken table, which was cast in thick shadow.

Slowly, Lissi’s erect frame strode toward the table, her veiled features smitten heavily by shadow. Her pale hand reached from under the folds of black fabric and tugged gently at the grey covering draped over the form lying on the table. Slowly, her hand revealed a shining silver helm, covering the grey, wavy locks of the old soldier. Piercing blue eyes stared out from under the carved brow of the helm, their black centres reflecting the cold light from above.

The grey shroud was pulled away, sliding silently off the table, pooling like spent blood in folds and waves. The stout man’s hands were folded over the hilt of a shining broadsword, the blade of which was notched and scarred. Broad stains of dried blood littered his scarlet tabard, like grisly continents on a sea of blood. Stepping back, Lissi’s proud head bowed in a signalling nod.

As one man, the tall onlookers stepped forward, each bearing a long piece of wood in his hand. The wood piled in rows, like soldiers in rank, around the edge of the great table. With another nod, the men’s forms receded to their original positions, their faces still shrouded.

Lissi stepped to the side of the table, a great earthen flask carried in the crook of her right arm. Starting at the old soldier’s head, she poured the oily contents of the flask over his spread form. Then, reverently, she laid herself by his left side, upending the flask over her black gown. She folded her slender fingers across her lap and closed her eyes.

The tall men took a single uniform step forward, the orange flames of lit torches illuminating their cold hands with a dancing, flickering light. Each thrust his torch into the piled wood. Immediately the flame’s blades rang out from their scabbards and thrusting through the oils, bit into the wood. Boots snapped against the cold floor as the hooded men stepped backwards.

A single figure remained within reach of the flames. In a smooth motion, his nimble fingers reached up and slowly pulled down the black of his hood. The dancing gold light of the pyre lit Brander’s face as he stared, unmistakeably, down at his parents’ forms as they were devoured, his green eyes shining.

DONE
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5

Osse's post - Carthor


Carthor woke with a start. Sweat soaked his tunic, turning the course fabric cold and sodden. The fire, in its small stone grate in the middle of the ice-house, had burned down to coals, which shone gently in the warm air. Around him, Carthor could make out the forms of his companions, still enwrapped in the warmth of sleep, or if the warmth had turned to cold, as it had for Carthor, then in the shrine of open-eyed rest. Carthor stood, and dragging his coverings behind him, moved to the fire. Sitting on a small, round, cured hide chair, Carthor piled more of the carefully stacked wood onto the coals. The fire was soon loud and raucous in the small space. Breaking his fast on more of the smoked pink fish, which was as soft and subtle, like moonlight given flavour, Carthor sat watching the flickering, dancing flames until the light shining through the ice walls turned a lighter shade of grey. His comrades started to rise, adding their own stirrings to the growing noise of the shelter.

His clothes now dry from the fire’s welcome warmth, Carthor rose and slipped on his old calf-hide boots, ignoring the near jet blackness of three of his toes. They had stopped hurting, so Carthor didn’t mind if they decided to stay attached to the rest of his foot or not. The wool linings that he had asked Lissi to sew in at the beginning of the winter were ragged and worn, yet they still held some warmth. He’d have to ask get her to sew in some new ones next year.

Carthor swore under his breath, to vent the true emotions he felt when thinking of what he had left trudging through the icy forests and frozen stone of the Blue Mountains: Grief. There was no real escape though; Grief’s sinuous frame stalked him night and day, waiting for his wearied guard to drop.

DONE
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6

Osse's post - Carthor


Carthor hunched into something nearing a crawl as he walked up the slanting entrance and peeled open the hide door of the snow-house. Outside, he was greeted by a clear blue sapphire sky, the eastern tinges of which still glowing with the soft pink haze of dawn. Around him, the Lossoth camp was ablaze with activity. Smoke rose from the chimney holes of every ice-house, men carried long wooden poles, and others carried racks of the large, broad silver fish, the same fish Carthor’s belly was full of. The sound of yelled orders and padding feet turned Carthor’s head. Over the rise of an ice drift, appeared the oddest cart. It was wheel-less, and glided across the surface of the white ground on long wooden skids. Its great length was piled entirely with baskets of fish and seaweed.

Draped triumphantly across the front was the great carcase of a male Elk, its great pronged head lolling with the rhythms of the cart. It was not the cart itself that amazed and startled the old Dunedain however, rather it was the way by which it was propelled. Attached in great leather harness, were what appeared to be five grey wolves. Carthor was amazed, for the only men he had known to ally themselves with wolves were under the Witch King’s banner. As the great sled skidded through the centre of the camp however and came to a halt some way from where Carthor stood, he saw that they were in fact not wolves, but mighty dogs, with thick grey and white coats and shining eyes. Their masters, who had ridden on the back of the cart, dismounted, and after congratulating their unlikely steeds on a job well done, began unloading the cart.

“An amazing, if rustic, folk.” Said a quiet voice beside Carthor’s ear.

Inside, Carthor jumped in surprise, as he thought himself alone outside the ice-house, his exterior however, stayed composed in its relaxed stance.

Carthor looked into the speaker’s face. “Aye my lord, amazing they are. One would scarcely believe tales of a folk who dwell in houses made of ice and ride on carts without wheels pulled by wolf-dogs.”

King Arvedui chuckled. “Your words are true Captain, these are strange times indeed that have caused us to seek shelter from such folk.”

Carthor merely nodded. They were indeed strange times. The two men stood silently for a while, each loath to break the gentle silence of the morning.

“Lord Carthor, your deeds and council have been ever hardy these past weeks, as has your loyalty. But my friend, I would have you complete one final task for me, as the Captain of my Guard.” King Arvedui paused, but as Carthor didn’t speak or interrupt, he pressed on.

“Our numbers have halved my friend, I know this. But our sanctuary here must only be short-lived, and though I don’t agree with the Ice-Chief in his superstitions, I see that the Witch King’s arm is indeed long. I do not doubt that he can reach us, even here.”

“Our entire journey north was to find the Lossoth and gain their aid, and this we have done. But these people cannot harbour us from the grasping fingers of the Witch King. We must look to the sea Carthor, for in the sea lies our only hope; if Cirdan has had news of our plight, as I trust he has, he will soon send grey ships northward in search of us.

We must look to the sea Carthor, but we must ensure that the sea can look to us! Make a beacon fire Carthor, and have your men tend it night and day, never letting it be extinguished. We must ensure our own rescue.”

Without waiting for a response, the King turned on his heel and disappeared back inside the ice-hut with the slap of hide hitting ice.

DONE
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7

Osse's post - Carthor


For five nights, the six Guardsmen rotated, sitting in hide tents beside the wind-whipped fire, feeding its hungry jaws with all the dry wood they could find. Their icy fingers ached from their labours, and many of their noses bore black or red patches, as if the skin had been seared by a red-hot brand.

On the dawn of the seventh day, a broad white shape was seen coursing through the white towers of floating ice in the broad bay. The sleek grey timber of the elven ship shone in the light of the new morning, its swan-shaped prow gliding majestically through the crisp air. The Dunedain stood aligned, their faces alight in relief and awe for the grace of the grey vessel. The Lossoth fled in fear of the greatness of the ship, and only the Chief and his warriors remained by the King’s side.

An eagerness the light of which Carthor had never witnessed danced in the Arvedui’s grey eyes. The wolf-dogs were made ready, and the Dunedain nestled themselves atop two of the great wheel-less carts. The carts sped across the glassy surface of the ice at a startling pace. The swan prow grey larger and larger, framed against the clear blue of the western sky. Boats, in stark likeness to the larger ship, were seen to be floated, their grey oars speeding them lightly toward the edge of the ice.

Dismounting from the sled, Carthor peered out at the grey wooden shapes as they drew near the shore.

Arvedui gave the instruction, and the Dunedain stepped tentatively toward the edge of the ice. The Chief of the Lossoth laid his hand gently on the arm of the king, who turned to face him.

“Ice-men smell danger on the wind, Tall King.” He said, his deep voice full of fear and concern.

“Do not mount this sea-monster! If they have them, let the seamen bring us food and other things we need, and you may stay here till the Witch-king goes home. For in summer his power wanes; but now his breath is deadly, and his cold arm is long.”

As if in answer to the Chief’s words, a biting wind arose out of the north. To Carthor’s old eyes, the sky there was darker than the rest, as if a scribe had drawn a deft ink-line across the horizon. The wind seemed unnaturally cold and malicious. Carthor found himself agreeing with the old chief’s words. However, he remained silent.

Arvedui, taken with eagerness to depart from the dead and cold world of ice, heeded little the words of the old Lossoth, despite the latter’s desperate pleading.

“Chief, I thank you and your people for kindling life where there was none, and for the aid you have given us, saving us from joining our friends in the icy wastes of your home. We shall leave, and fear not, for the ships of Cirdan cannot falter!”

In token of thanks, Arvedui pulled the great ring from his right hand, and placed it in the hand of the chief. “This is a thing of worth beyond your reckoning. For its ancientry alone. It has no power, save the esteem in which those hold it who love my house. It will not help you, but if ever you are in need, my king will ransom it with great store of all that you desire.”

Arvedui kissed the old man on the forehead, before turning and climbing into the first of the awaiting boats, which was held fast against the ice with much effort by her elvish oarsmen. Carthor stepped carefully down into the boat beside the king. The six other men slid onto the finely carved benches behind and beside the king, and in the other boat. The last two bore a heavy, iron-clad oak casket.

The Lossoth stood watching the boats row slowly away from the ice, their grey wood’s sheen radiant in the strong light. Their Chief stood watching the sea long after the boats had been lost to view, the Ring of Barahir enclosed warmly in his palm.

DONE
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8

Osse's post - Carthor


With typical elvish efficiency, the two small boats had reached the deeper, less constricted waters and had been drawn up onto the great grey ship’s deck. Carthor joined his fellows in embracing Cirdan’s sailors. Relief at their timely appearance flooded through his heart and he found himself crying out for sheer joy.

Carthor was ushered below deck, and found himself sitting alone in a sweet smelling, cushioned corner, with the soft sunlight coursing in through the innate windows above his head. Carthor’s head lolled against his armoured breast, and the weariness he had fought for weeks finally found its moment to attack. His breathing soon became deep and regular. Sleep’s soft, maternal arms embraced him.

DONE
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9

Osse's post - Carthor


The screech of wood wrenched Carthor violently from sleep. The white light that had spilled through the windows was gone, replaced by a quelling grey darkness. Carthor stood, and peered out of the window above his grey-clad head. The sun outside was hidden behind angry masses of black cloud. Riding down on the howling north wind came swords of sleeting rain. The ship lurched sideways, as if Ossë himself had thrust it away. Carthor was thrown bodily across the deck, sliding against the grey wall of the cabin. Great waves beat against the glass windows, like savage hounds bashing at the door of cot, their braying voices rising in tumult.

The elven ship was dashed time and again by the great waves, bounding like a wayward pup from one iron embrace to another. The north wind screamed, whistling through the ship’s ragged rigging like a wraith. Suddenly, from the north, came a wave, greater and more towering than any other. The grey ship was sucked up its towering side, and lingered at its point for what seemed an eternity. The great wave surged forward, carrying the elven ship like an autumn leaf. White ice rose to greet the wave, and the water beat upon the grey ship. As Aulë’s hammer smites his great anvil, Cirdan’s ship smote against the hard surface of the ice tower.

Icy water rushed into Carthor’s screaming mouth, running in torrents into his bellowing lungs. Darkness engulfed him as he somersaulted through the watery void. He could feel wood falling around him, sweeping down in lazy arcs. His mouth opened, gasping for breath. Salt water rolled, like thundering horses, down his throat. His mind was burning with a soft light as images of faces and people mingled with the darkness. Carthor tumbled through the icy water, like the disjointed thoughts tumbling through his starved mind. Carthor could see it himself: a great candle, burning, giving off a soft yellow light. The wick hovered above the pools of hot wax below, dancing, loitering. Carthor stared at the candle, watching, waiting for the moment, waiting for the wick to finally reach its end: it had been burning low for a long time.

The flame flickered, before burning brighter, as if in defiance. Carthor stared. The wick licked the pool of wax, its flame teetering. Time seemed to slow, the flame stood still and erect. It hissed, sighing, released at last. And was gone.

DONE

[piosenniel]

Well done, Osse!!!!!! :D Excellent wrap-up for Carthor. Great dream scene!

I'm going to break this into 9 consecutive posts for easier reading.

Thanks for wrapping up this part of the storyline so well.

~*~ Pio http://forum.barrowdowns.com/ubb/icons/icon13.gif

[Mithalwen]

Well I have added the epilogue & corrected as many faults of spelling, grammar and syntax as I can find after 5 hours at the screen!

I have found it hard to say goodbye and it seems inadequate (osse is a hard act to follow) but at least it is tidied after a fashion.

This was my first RPG here and I have to say that it has been a great learning experience. I am in awe of you guys and I hope to put what I have learnt into practice in my continuing game. Thank you all very much. And of course thanks to Pio the saintly expert on Troll slaying.

[piosenniel]

The RPG has been brought to a wonderful end by Mithalwen and Osse.

It was a delight to read along as all of you played the game.

~*~ Pio http://forum.barrowdowns.com/ubb/icons/icon13.gif

[Osse]

Well done Mith. :D

It's nice to get closure on this game... and for all its 'stop and go' I enjoyed writing with you all. Despite the rough patches, this game contains lots of fantastic writing. Well done guys, it was a pleasure writing with you all! :D

Regards,

Osse

[Amanaduial the archer]

Nicely ended, Mithalwen, Osse. It would have been nice to be able to play the planned end out fully, but as that was becoming more difficult, I can't think of a nicer way for it to end. Thanks for those posts - and thanks to everyone for the excellent writing standard and interaction in this game. I greatly enjoyed it :)

[Nuranar]

Wow. Mith and Osse, you've really stepped up the plate to finish this out. Thanks so everyone who's written on this one. This quality of writing has been superb and challenging, and I've really enjoyed trying to meet that challenge. And thanks for your patience in waiting for me and giving me a chance to continue the story somewhat. I only regret I didn't write more often when I did have the time. Aman, I especially enjoyed our characters' interaction, as I did on The Ambassador's Son. Let's make it a habit, shall we? :)

[piosenniel]

~*~ To Elvenhome ~*~